$3,000 Traffic Tickets? Evolving Law or Ridiculous Law Makers? Update 11-5-07

Virginia may not love its drivers. In Virginia you can now receive a $3,000 traffic ticket. The object of the huge fine is to deter poor driving; however its real intent appears to be a method to raise money for road projects.

Virginia's traffic fines ranging from $750 to $3,000 are added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine of $200. A first time DWI will get a $2,250 civil penalty plus fines and court costs. Driving without a valid license will be $900 civil penalty, plus $100 fine, plus court costs. Virginia is expected to raise over $65 million a year for the state. "It's outrageous," says traffic court attorney Thaddeus Furlong of Springfield, Va. The penalties only apply to Virginia residents. Lon Anderson of AAA Mid-Atlantic says the new law will help reduce traffic deaths.

All of the sweeping state law change is not bad. For example, Arkansas will cut its sales tax on groceries from 6% to 3% Sunday.

Wyoming has banned open containers in vehicles.
South Dakota requires repeat DWI's to stop at jails twice daily for breath testing.

New York City has banned trans fats.

Massachusetts' health care insurance law requires everyone to have health insurance — either with state help or purchased privately.

California bans pop sales on school campuses and limits sugar and fat content in school food.

Florida will randomly test high school athletes for steroid use for a trial one year period.

Indiana and North Carolina schools must tell parents of sixth-grade girls about the link between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer and the new vaccine.

Nevada requires insurers to pay for the vaccine.

Colorado requires all but one school district to teach sex education based on scientific research and contraception.

Virginia requires convicted sex offenders to register their e-mail addresses. Nevada forces certain sex offenders to live at least 1,000 feet away from schools . Connecticut creates a new crime for those who abuse a child under 13 that carries a 25-year prison sentence.

Tennessee requires all purchaser of alcohol to show identification, regardless of their age.

In Georgia, prior to an abortion, the woman must be given a chance to see an ultrasound of the fetus and hear the heartbeat. In Mississippi, a sonogram must be given before an abortion.

Illinois, Michigan and Pennsylvania have raised their minimum wage.

New Mexico and Rhode Island have legalized the medical use of marijuana. Vermont expanded the use of medical marijuana.

Update: 8-20-07 Virginia traffic fines are being challenged on a constitutional basis. The legislature is also strongly considering changing the law and refunding the excessive fines to residents.

Update 10-8-07 Legal Pub invited Thaddeus Furlong to comment, so in return for his insight, we do not mind giving him a free plug! Here are his comments: "Every year Virginia politicians try and outdo each other to be "tough on law breakers." Since driving 55 in a 35 mph zone is Reckless Driving here in VA, these new $1,050 fees (at the low end) will snag a lot of regular folks--not bank robbers. Our firm fights these charges on a dailiy basis and they are already causing fury at the taffic clerk's window. Some courts have installed protective glass windows like a bank to avoid irate customers learning of the new high "civil abuser fees."--Thaddeus Furlong, Esq, Springfield, Virginia " Thanks for the update, Thaddeus.

Update 11-5: More strange laws. In Marietta, Georgia, it is illegal to spit from a moving car or bus, but is okay from a moving truck. In California, any woman dressed in a housecoat is prohibited from driving a car. In Evanston, Illinois, it is unlawful to change clothes while inside a car with the curtains drawn, except during a fire