VERY WORRIED... Reckless driving (over 20 mph+) in Virginia...

B

bensonchou

Registered Users (C)
Hello,
I received my greencard in 2001 and I will be eligible to file N-400 in a few weeks.

I received a speeding ticket in Virginia in 1999 for driving 77 mph on 55 mph road. In Virginia, over 20 mph is considered Reckless Driving. On the ticket, it has the “pay fine” box checked so I paid the fine in early 2000. I was not aware the seriousness of reckless driving at the time ...I simply thought it was just another speeding ticket so I paid the fine.

Recently, I was reading a post on this forum and someone said that Reckless driving could have an effect on N-400. However, for this ticket that I received in 1999, I didn’t have to go to court and it was only 2 mph over (if I drove 75 mph or 74 mph on 55mph road, then it would just be a normal speeding ticket).

Could someone please clarify? I am really worried and not sure what to do... Can I still file the N-400 application myself? or I need to pay another $1000 to hire an attorney?

Finally, what should I say on the N-400 application....Can I say it was a speeding ticket? Because it really was a speeding ticket or do I need to put the word “Reckless driving” on the N-400 application

Thanks for your help in advanced.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Please provide feedback...

Hello,
Thanks for your fast response. It just happened that me and the other guy has a similar situation. I received the 77 on 55 in 1999 and I think the other guy received it in 1997, both in Virginia though...

Please read my posting and provided feedback as to what I should do....

I very much appreciate your help in advanced.
 
id put it as speeding in n400 and attach a copy of the ticket with the application. dont worry too much abt it. its not a felony
 
bensonchou said:
Hello,
I received my greencard in 2001 and I will be eligible to file N-400 in a few weeks.

I received a speeding ticket in Virginia in 1999 for driving 77 mph on 55 mph road. In Virginia, over 20 mph is considered Reckless Driving. On the ticket, it has the “pay fine” box checked so I paid the fine in early 2000. I was not aware the seriousness of reckless driving at the time ...I simply thought it was just another speeding ticket so I paid the fine.

Recently, I was reading a post on this forum and someone said that Reckless driving could have an effect on N-400. However, for this ticket that I received in 1999, I didn’t have to go to court and it was only 2 mph over (if I drove 75 mph or 74 mph on 55mph road, then it would just be a normal speeding ticket).

Could someone please clarify? I am really worried and not sure what to do... Can I still file the N-400 application myself? or I need to pay another $1000 to hire an attorney?

Finally, what should I say on the N-400 application....Can I say it was a speeding ticket? Because it really was a speeding ticket or do I need to put the word “Reckless driving” on the N-400 application

Thanks for your help in advanced.
Click to expand...


Just put "Speeding Ticket". If on the ticket says speeding, that's it. Will be nice to have a proof that you paid it off, and that's it.
If you like to dig dipper and drive yourself crazy over this matter, it's your right.
But as far as the CIS officer is concerned, you have a ticket for speeding, PERIOD.
Remeber at the interview you have to tell the truth, but you don't have to educate the CIS about the traffic laws in Virginia, and more inportantly, never ever volunteer more info than you have to (and especially with CIS)

About getting a lawyer, if you have $1,000 more than you need, give it to a charity, lawyers are usually rich people, and you definitely don't need one for this issue with your trafic ticket.

Good luck :)

P.S. I had several tickets and at the time when I've filed out the N-400 I didn't know that I have to disclose them.
So I didn't. More, I remember that about 11-12 years ago, a CHP patrol gave me one for speeding...107 miles per hour in a 65 maybe 70 zone limit...I paid the ticket and I slowed down a little bit since then...the last one was for 31 in a 25 zone. :D
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top