Grass Valley, CA asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Oregon

Q: My son was written up for reckless driving after running a stop sign on a country road. Fine is $6250.

This fine is devastating and seems way out of line with the infraction. There was no one at the intersection (except the officer), he was driving under the speed limit, and he made a conscious decision when he saw the stop sign that it would be safer to drive through it than to slam on the breaks. My question is whether we should plead no contest and ask for a lesser fine, or plead not guilty to reckless driving and endangerment because he was not being reckless and no one was endangered.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Jared Justice
PREMIUM
Jared Justice
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Oregon City, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: That fine is the maximum fine for a class A misdemeanor.

Typically, that is not the fine that is imposed (at least I have never seen it/heard about it being imposed).

Your son would be wise to get an attorney, prior to his court date. In my opinion, it is usually best to find an attorney in the county or city where your son needs to appear for court.

Aubrey R Hoffman agrees with this answer

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