ROTC speeding ticket

...oh, another thing. While I am not encouraging you not to report this to your unit yet, I will say that unless and until there has been a disposition on your case, you have neither been found responsible or guilty of anything. I would see what happens with the ticket, or at least get a good idea of what will happen from a lawyer, before doing anything. This is assuming you were only charged with a civil infraction.
 
I believe as a cadet and officer you are required to report any ticket within 48 hours of the infraction. It has nothing to do with guilt or innocence. As a cadet you cannot wait until it is resolved to report it. Doing that will find you in trouble.
~ I know for our DS when he got a speeding ticket it was reported by the police to the unit within 48-72 hrs. Thus, for those that are contracted or AD they will know very quickly. I know this is not the case for the OP, but for others if they find themselves in that position I would not heed brovol's advice...sorry brovol.
~ Heck when you get married, if your wife gets a ticket on base, you must report that too. At least that is true for the AF.

As others have said there are plenty of cadets that have received speeding tickets during their cadet years. Just report it now since you already know that you are transferring into the unit next semester. The cadre will not think any lower of you for the ticket, but will appreciate the honesty and you being forthright with them right off the bat.

I do agree with brovol regarding hiring an attorney. I had a speeding ticket reduced to a non-moving violation. It cost @300, but worth every penny. The ticket would have been @200, but when you add in my insurance premiums increasing over three years it turned out to be cheaper by several hundred.
 
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Pima said:
I believe as a cadet and officer you are required to report any ticket within 48 hours of the infraction.
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Pima - Based on his first post he is not yet a cadet. He is an applicant transferring to a 4 year school to join ROTC. I could be wrong though with my interpretation.

He hired an attorney and if he follows the recommendations from the 'posters' in this thread, which appear to be similar, he has a good chance.

As Pima indicated....If a cadet or on active duty it is best to get in front of this with chain of command.

If OP has an established line of communication with his future cadre he could get out in front of this too, once likely disposition is known.
 
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There is a ticket, but no conviction. Because of the speed, they will require a court appearance. It will be at least a month out, if not more. They probably won't give you court supervision because you're 28 over. (How did they not take you to jail on the spot??) But traffic offenses don't belong on the AROTC scholarship app (per our ROO). So don't mention it on the app.
 
If op is currently a cadet, and required as a cadet to report immediately, then obviously report it immediately. If not, then I would see where you stand quickly before you do anything else.

Just my two cents.
 
Pima said:
I believe as a cadet and officer you are required to report any ticket within 48 hours of the infraction. It has nothing to do with guilt or innocence. As a cadet you cannot wait until it is resolved to report it. Doing that will find you in trouble.
~ I know for our DS when he got a speeding ticket it was reported by the police to the unit within 48-72 hrs. Thus, for those that are contracted or AD they will know very quickly. I know this is not the case for the OP, but for others if they find themselves in that position I would not heed brovol's advice...sorry brovol.
~ Heck when you get married, if your wife gets a ticket on base, you must report that too. At least that is true for the AF.

As others have said there are plenty of cadets that have received speeding tickets during their cadet years. Just report it now since you already know that you are transferring into the unit next semester. The cadre will not think any lower of you for the ticket, but will appreciate the honesty and you being forthright with them right off the bat.

I do agree with brovol regarding hiring an attorney. I had a speeding ticket reduced to a non-moving violation. It cost @300, but worth every penny. The ticket would have been @200, but when you add in my insurance premiums increasing over three years it turned out to be cheaper by several hundred.
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That's true Pima that as a cadet you have to report it within 72 hrs. If you are not a cadet you will be asked what involvements you have had with the police in the past and at that time you should report it to the cadre. This way they can at least write it down and put it in your file if any problems arise in the future.
 
Many years ago, when I was a practicing attorney, an Air Force pilot hired me to handle a speeding ticket he got in my county. I was surprised just how concerned he was over a simple civil infraction. Far more than most criminal defendants are about charges which land them in jail for extended periods. I learned then how high the military standards are on these pilots.

I was able to work with the prosecutor to get a non moving, non reportable offense (obstruction of traffic), but with a high fine, and the guy was safe.

As a judge and former prosecutor I can say that those in the judicial system generally want to help, and will cut slack for good people, who don't generally get in trouble, and who appear to be deserving of a break. Service men and women almost always fall into this category, and, whether it is right or wrong, will get at least a little extra love based on their commitment to the country.
 
Go with KP's advice. You are not part of ROTC yet so no one to report to right? Do you really want your first interaction with you new unit to be this? When you apply you can report it on the application if it meets the threshold. In some jurisdictions you can pay the fine within 10 days and they will cut the point assessment in half. Talk to the DA and see if you can get differed prosecution. And for God sake slow down, only professionals should drive that fast... Like NBA or NFL players!!!
 
brovol said:
As a judge I can tell you that , at least in my state the ticket would be considered a civil infraction, and not a criminal misdemeanor. Arguably it could be enhanced to a reckless driving, which is a misdemeanor, but the prosecutor would need to do that. Perhaps it is different in Illinois, and I am certainly no expert beyond the confines of Michigan, but I would be surprised.

Assuming it is a civil infraction, there are infractions which are reportable to the state, and others that are not. Your dream situation would be to negotiate to a non reportable infraction, if possible. This will depend largly on the kindness and sympathy, and perhaps the policy of your prosecutor. A small county prosecutor typically has more discretion that a large city prosecutor. Your prior driving record will make a big difference, as will your circumstances, including your status as an ROTC cadet.

I would promptly hire a lawyer from that area who has a good relationship with the prosecutor's office.
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I contacted my lawyer and he is going to make some calls out to the district this happened in. Otherwise I do not have any other prior driving records.
 
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