Jimenez’ reckless driving charge reduced to ‘improper driving’
The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been reduced to “improper driving.”
On May 5, a Virginia state trooper charged Jimenez with driving his 2025 Porsche 104 mph in a 70 mph zone on the Route 66 express lanes. Speeding at that level is considered reckless driving under state law.
On Sept. 21, Jimenez pled no contest to the reduced charge of improper driving in Fairfax County Traffic Court. He was fined $500 plus $67 in court costs.
Related story: Jimenez charged with driving 104 mph in Fairfax
His attorney, Makan Shirafkan, said the charge was reduced from 104 mph to 96 mph, based on an odometer reading.
Jimenez did not appear in court. According to Shirafkan, he was not required to be present.
Jimenez was initially summoned to appear in Traffic Court on July 20, but the case was continued to Sept. 21.
No fine was imposed on Jimenez for failing to have a registration card for his vehicle when he was stopped for speeding on May 5.
Related story: Jimenez reckless driving case postponed
NOTE: Andres’ attorney, Makan Shirafkan, reached out to Annandale Today to request a correction. He says the statement in the original article, since removed, that “improper driving is a misdemeanor” is incorrect. “The case was resolved with a finding of improper driving under Virginia Code § 46.2-869. Improper driving is a traffic infraction, not a misdemeanor.”
rules for thee
Yep, sadly this is how it works.
It’s a shame there isn’t more public outcry about this. 96 is still TWENTY SIX miles over the posted speed limit. Put any one of us normal community members at the wheel of that car and you’re going to get hit with a few days in jail.
WTF does “based on an odometer reading” even mean?
Glad this was posted but someone should put his feet to the fire.
He also blasted by a school bus In the video which is wild considering he ran on a platform based on improving public safety
It should have said “speedometer reading”. You take your car to an auto shop that has something on the floor to spin the front wheels to a known speed, and then compare that to the speed showing on the speedometer. The shop prints out a certificate, and if the speedometer shows a slower speed than that of the spinning wheels, the lawyer tells the judge that the driver thought he/she was going slower than what the actual speed was.
This is a common legal tactic used to reduce the charge. An 8 mph variance seems like a lot for a fairly new Porsche.
Jimenez is not serving Mason District citizens well, and now this. It is ridiculous that he serves — even a minor role — on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. No excuse for driving at 94 (or 104 miles per hour) on a school day in Fairfax County. He cares more about photos of himself, dining out, driving a Porsche, etc. than his constituents.
Sounds pretty standard if you’ve ever spent a day in traffic court. If you accept it they are very likely to reduce the charge.
I spent a day in traffic court as a witness to a collision and nearly everyone had their charge reduced. Only folks who didn’t were the ones who came in and tried to argue or did something stupid like the guy there on a charge of driving on a suspended license who then asked if he could drive his car home from court. He *drove to court* for his hearing on driving on a suspended license.
And, as much as I hate it, driving 96 in a 70 zone is pretty standard around here.
Typical no accountability response. Nothing stated by Jimenez himself except for self promoting videos on his socials. His few remaining supporters should have demanded an apology to safe street advocates. He has a 6 page long driving record. He was endorsed by many officials and he was elected in Virginia and told the cop he didn’t know he needed to register his car?!? None of us would have walked out the courtroom with that pattern of poor decisions.
Reminiscent of Gerry Connollys hit and run that went away.
Vote him out. He’s useless! Advocates only for himself, not Mason district residents. Ran on a platform of preserving single family neighborhoods and now there isn’t a new apartment complex he isn’t in favor of regardless of the negative impact to single family neighborhoods.
Also, the last to come out against the proposed data center on Edsall Rd.
Agree; he’s earned early retirement.
What is this public servant doing with a new Porsche anyway?
Just remember this in the next election cycle when he’s running for re-election!
I’m laughing because I remember the bitter angry whiners who commented on this site about how terrible Penny Gross was.
Second, Sammy Hagar understands and appreciates our Supervisor’s need for speed.
Didn’t we see this coming? She needed to retire, but OMG, yes–the whiners!
Please, let’s make Jimenez a one-term wonder, not a perennial SNAFU!
Wonder?? Definitely got off easily.
I can’t drive 95
Jimenez the Menace strikes again…
Public “servants” should be held to higher, not lower, standards. This sort of treatment of a minor elected official is one reason why there’s so much public contempt for government at all levels and why there’s so little enforcement of (and widespread disregard for) traffic laws in northern Virginia. The trooper didn’t buy Jiminez’s lame excuse, but it didn’t matter. Business as usual for the judge.
A $500 fine for someone who owns a Porsche is pocket money. The guy didn’t even bother to show up in court, just let his mouthpiece enter his plea. He should have been there in handcuffs.
In the video, Jimenez says he’s en route to a board meeting. I think he expected the cop to know he meant board of supervisors. But Jimenez is so slow, he didn’t realize “board” is not as descriptive as it seems in his elite little bubble. he was trying to use his position to get away.
The reduction in charges is shameful. 104 mph on I66 is reckless driving no matter who is behind the wheel!
I have driven through that intersection many times over the years, the speed limit is 45 mph, not 70 mph. I either case Jimenez was driving 59 or 34 mph over the limit. That’s reckless driving either way.
What bothers me more than Jimenez blatant disregard for the safety of others, is the judge’s deciding that there are two legal systems in Fairfax County, a seeet one for County Administrators, and a different, much harder for the rest of us. Shame on the Court!!
Of course; he is a Dem in a Dem controlled area! So…..just who is surprised????
This resolution is disgraceful. This is not a case of 10-15 miles over the speed limit, This is a driver going over 100 in the middle of the day. He serves no jail time, does not lose his license, and will act like nothing happened. If this was anyone else (like Jason Werth of the Nationals who did the same thing) we would be getting a large fine, a suspended license, and maybe a weekend or two in jail. Unfortunately our Commonwealth Attorney seems to always be quick to allow pleas to much lower crimes.
If it had been a regular citizen with no special county office (doesn’t matter what party they belong to) then it would have remained reckless driving. Jimenez has been worthless to Mason District but seems to enjoy what the citizens can provide for him. Vote him out.
Code of Virginia
§ 24.2-233. Removal of elected and certain appointed officers by courts.
Upon petition, a circuit court may remove from office any elected officer or officer who has been appointed to fill an elective office, residing within the jurisdiction of the court:
1. For neglect of a clear, ministerial duty of the office, misuse of the office, or incompetence in the performance of the duties of the office when that neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office
The courts and the prosecuting office failed to deliver justice. The supervisor recklessly endangered fellow county residents with his bad judgement. And his bad judgement should not be responsible for making county policies. Is there a recall opportunity for his position to require a special election?
He could have killed somebody. Even accounting for an error in his speedometer reading he had to know that he was going like a bat out of hell. Given that his own neighbors have complained about his driving on local roads he has demonstrated a reckless disregard for the safety of others. As a public official he ahould be held to the highest standard. Jiminez is a miserable failure and should never have been voted into office.
If we can’t get him out beforehand, his term comes up again at rhe end if 2027 so we can vote him out. He’s been a disappointment.
Problem is – the best candidates we had for supervisor last time – Reid Voss and Steve Lee – likely wont want to bother running again.