I'm being charged with Reckless Driving . . .

What seems to be missed is the wires got hung up on the nose of the trailer. Not the tail.

So he clear as day drove right threw the darn things with the tractor.

 

It depends on the wording of the statute for reckless driving. I think Florida was something along the lines of "the willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property". If it happened in Arizona, it looks like a similar definition. So from what I understand, the state should have to prove that you saw the power lines, knew you would hit them, and still did it anyway. In my opinion, it doesn't matter if the lines are supposed to be there or not.

But every situation is different. The judge has discretion, and as much as we like to pretend our system is based on innocent until proven guilty, the police testimony is usually given more weight than the accused. At least this has been based on my experiences and observations, especially in small towns. Also, certain states having traffic statutes that fall under civil law, meaning the preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt, so they only need to be 51% sure that you did it. Combine that with financial penalties, with revenue that funds the very people you're in court with, and it's an uphill battle.

If your case is being handled by a prosecutor, I would find the attorney and set up a meeting to explain the situation and attempt to resolve it outside of trial. If it's being handled by the officer who wrote the ticket, they probably don't care what you have to say or they wouldn't have given you the ticket. I'd probably be looking at lesser citations that fit the situation, as opposed to going in there while claiming to be innocent and blaming the power company, the president, or the Illuminati.

 

First. Why should they of they are over a ditch a vehicle has no business being there.
Second. How do you know it wasn't 14'? You weren't exactly on level ground.

 

@Chinatown....I didn't know you from this side...you're even worse a Vandal than I've ever been. Lol.
But now, I do have a reason to suspect why you're such an encyclopedia of all the companies who hire those drop-outs out there....lol

 

A U turn is a illegal maneuver !!
Also what in the every living F... made you think you could ever performe a safe U turn on a 2 lane road with a truck and trailer ??
Most 2 lane roads are only about 20' wide on the paved part with maybe a 6' shoulder.. And thats if its a newer 2 lane.. How F....'n long was the trailer you were pulling ? 53' ?.. IDC if it was only 45' thats still not enough room to perform the illeagal maneuver your tired to do
You earned yourself a well deserved ticket Congratulations !!!
It's too bad that law enforcement can not write a ticket for ( Driving without common sense ) because you would of earned a ticket for that also
JMO but you Earned that ticket
Your 1 for those guys that performs some sort of act of stupidity about a mile in front me while I'am driving on the 2 lane and have to try and safely to slow down and maybe even stop completely and do my best to avoid injuring any of the load in my box.. while your performing your act of stupidity.. and all the time I'am hoping another idiot isn't behind me not paying attention to their driving and runs into the back of my wagon
I have zero sympathy for you and your lack of common sense
Play stupid games win stupid prizes

 

This actually happened to me several years before I retired. I was getting loaded in a Philly suburb and got lost. It was thankfully about 9 PM and I knew I was in trouble. I then remembered something my father and others taught me. When you find yourself in a hole STOP DIGGING! I got my cell phone out and dialed 911. It took about 20 minutes but 2 police vehicles pulled behind me. I simply told them the truth. I was asked how high my truck was and which direction I needed to go once back to I-95. I said actually I was headed north on the turnpike headed to I 80. Follow me was what they said. I did and was on my way. You should NEVER do a U-TURN unless you are 100% positive you have the vertical and area to do so. Also, keep in mind your weight. Some parking lots can't handle very heavy loads. I once saw a guy do a U-TURN on a day when the outside temp was over 100 in a parking lot and actually left deep ruts.

 

I don't know the law on U-turns but they should be illegal. So many bad things have happened from a big truck doing a U-turn.
Own your mistake and move on.

 

Haven't you been reading? It's everyone else's fault. He's a perfect driver that if only immovable objects didn't jump in his way he would have been fine.

Sad thing is, instead of using this as a learning experience, he's going to continue doing the same thing until he U-turns in front of a minivan and has a fatal wreck. And I'm sure he'll still blame the minivan.