Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Re: Should I risk it?

First let's get the language correct, i.e., you're not taking any other body to court other than your own "cuerpo", meaning you're appearing in court as a result of the officer issuing you a traffic infraction. Whether or not you appear is up to you; the officer doesn't particularly care one way or the other. The officer will appear on that particular day scheduled for your hearing because it's his job to do so and it's one of his regularly scheduled court days on which he has in all likelihood numerous other cases to present to the court for an appropriate adjudication/disposition and not because "you're bringing him."

You can, nevertheless, bring a copy of your "good driving record" to show to the prosecutor assigned to your case on the morning it is scheduled for hearing in the traffic court and, after explaining whatever extenuating might apply, you could then(upon feigning an appropriately embarrassed and remorseful demeanor)ask to plead guilty to a reduced speeding infraction.

Re: Should I risk it?

It is true that if you go to court you MIGHT

have your ticket reduced. It is never guaranteed.

This will actually depend about 70% on your

current driving record and about 30% whether

you have a good argument for why you don't

believe you were actually going that fast.

What you do is get a copy of your driving record

from the DMV. If it is in fact a perfect or

near-perfect driving record, +2 to +5, your

chances are very good that the prosecutor will

accept a lower speed on your ticket.

Go early and say to the prosecutor that you are

willing to plead guilty to a lesser speed, and

show him your good driving record.

If the prosecutor does not agree, you can go

before the judge and simply pay the fine,

without any discussion.