What is this charge for traffic ticket?

Should I get a lawyer for this reckless driving ticket?

• A cop gave me a reckless driving ticket after I make a left turn that cut it a bit too close to the oncoming traffic at an intersection. No accident occurred, but I received the ticket for a bit under $300. I was out of town and my parents received the ticket. They told me I received it, but I didn't get to look into what paying the ticket really meant. Anyhow, we paid the ticket, unaware that a few weeks later, I was to receive a notice suspending my license for 6 months. I never believed that the ticket was fair, I was not reckless driving. Maybe I was 'careless driving', or should have received 3 points for 'not yielding to an oncoming vehicle while making a left-turn', but I was not deserving of a reckless driving charge and a 6 month suspension. But, I thought that paying the ticket would get it over with, as I didn't get the chance to research into what the charge actually meant, and NO information is given on the ticket itself except for basically how much you should pay unless you go to court. I am about to file an appeal in the Court of Common Pleas to fight this ticket still, and withdraw my original plea. However, I would like to know, is it worth it for me to get a lawyer?? I don't want to have to pay the $530 flat fee I was offered, since I already have to pay $91 for the actually cost of the appeal, but I do not want to lose, obviously. Can I handle this on my own, or will they not take me seriously if I do not have a lawyer?

• Answer:

  I dont know if you could win this or not because I didnt see what happened. From my experience, usually when you get a lawyer they will work out a deal the get the ticket reduced to a lesser violation. For example, one ticket I recieved I was charged with tailgating and lane violation (2) points. The car was goeing 45 in a 65 zone so I was tailgating and passed the car on the right and my lawyer got this redused to a parking ticket. Another time I got a speeding ticket reduced and removed from my driving record. Tell the lawyer or judge exactly what happened and unfortuantly these cases are hard to win without spending money and getting a lawyer. Btw, I never had to go to court. My lawyer would just work out a deal with the officer.