Question about court date.?

Police have full jurisdiction in Target's parking lot. It may be private property, but it is accessible to the public. Tell your boyfriend to get to court early, and see what his options are. He can always request a continuance to retain an attorney.

tell him to just pay the ticket as far as how much or whatever call the justice court in your area and ask them how much the ticket is for reckless driving and ask them if you can go ahead and pay the ticket before court day if not you have all this time to save as much money as you can and then they may actually let him make payments on the rest or you may find out you dont have too

Your ticket typically will include a court date and time, and possibly the amount of the fine

You may have the option of attending a driving program or traffic school. If you complete the program or school, the speeding or moving violation is removed from your record completely.

If you want to admit you are responsible for the speeding or moving violation, then enter a plea of no contest. This means you are neither admitting your responsibility nor denying your responsibility – you are just paying your fine.

You may just pay the amount of sanction or fine by mail or in person on or before your court date

Typically you can call the number listed on your ticket and they will give you information as to the cost of the ticket and where to send payment

If you want to contest the ticket, then enter a not guilty plea and request a trial:

You are now denying that you committed the violation and you must prove that the charges against you are false at the time of your hearing or trial

You can request a hearing or trial by mail, or by calling the number listed on your ticket

If you choose to go to court, you may be represented by an attorney, or you may present your own case

If you are found responsible or guilty at trial, you will be issued a penalty and this penalty may or may not be the same amount initially listed on the ticket

If you win at trial, the speeding or moving violation will be dismissed

You're right about the lot being private and cops not having jurisdiction there...kinda. The reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense that was committed in a place where the general public is allowed unrestricted. It is actually an arrestable offense. I've written the cites and towed many cars form private lots after the "side show" fun is over.

He'll get some points on his license. No big deal really.

He can fight it with a lawyer if he wants to. I'm quite certain that it will be more expensive than the ticket and increased insurance.

I'm not sure what state you reside in, so I'm speaking from my state's point of view. Parking lots are considered private property as far as accidents go in Texas. I'm not sure what rights a law enforcement officer has in giving a wreckless driving/exhibition of speed ticket in a parking lot though. If I were him, I would not take it to trial and don't waste your money on a lawyer. I would just plead no contest (that does not stay on your record as long as you don't have any other tickets within a certain time frame)...yes, he would still have to pay the ticket, but he could take defensive driving (I think).

In the state of louisiana, reckless operation is a "criminal" statute (similar to DWI or DUI) and not a "traffic violation" and therefore they can be written on private property. I would imagine that is the same in your area.

No one here can give legal advice. What you decide to plea will depend on how much "aggravation" you want to endure. Unless you have a host of witnesses then a judge will generally side with the officer. Again in Louisiana, I doubt seriously they will provide a public defender. You will probably just be given the opportunity to speak to one that happens to be in the court room. If not, you could certainly ask the judge or the District attorney for that opportunity before pleading.

I'm pretty sure the parking lot isn't considered "private". If it was then you wouldn't get parking tickets from the County Police.

I don't know about the state you live in but in the small area of Texas I live in I have been told if you request trial by jury for small offenses like that then they usually throw it out no court or nothing.

if he knows that he's guilty, then let him pay the ticket. otherwise, he'll spend more money fighting it, and losing. just remember, police officers usually get backed up from the courts. i've been there.

no contest and move on, take thy lumps...this too shall pass!