how much does a lawyer cost for reckless driving

by Quinn Mertz 7 min read

Fees start as low as $60-$150 to have a lawyer spend a few minutes appearing as your representative in traffic court (so you don't have to attend) but, depending on location and circumstances, if can run $200-$500 for limited and fairly straightforward legal services for a simple speeding ticket or other traffic offense.

Full Answer

Should you hire a reckless driving lawyer?

Should I Hire a Nassau County Reckless Driving Lawyer? Reckless driving charges are incredibly serious, and should not be taken lightly. Due to the severe nature of this violation, it is important to work with experienced legal counsel to protect your rights. Our attorneys will work diligently to get your charges dismissed or significantly reduced.

How much does a Virginia reckless driving lawyer cost?

There are two ways that attorneys structure their fees: (1) Hourly, and (2) Flat Fees. The standard hourly fee for attorneys in Virginia is between $250-$500 an hour. However, at Peter John Louie, P.C., we don’t like the hourly model because it means focusing less on the facts and strategy of your case and spending more time looking at the clock.

Should I get a lawyer for reckless driving?

The department is also taking additional measures in partnership with area agencies to combat reckless driving, such as a pilot program to enforce bus stop-arm enforcement and protect children traveling to and from schools. MPD said this grant will only help enhance its ongoing reckless driving enforcement efforts.

Do I need an attorney for a reckless driving charge?

You do need an attorney to defend against a reckless driving charge. A reckless driving charge is not just a glorified traffic infraction, it is a criminal misdemeanor charge. In Virginia, traffic laws are very tough.

How many points does a reckless driving charge have to be on your license?

The court must notify the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles about your conviction as well. The DMV could assign four or six demerit points to your license depending on the seriousness of the crime.

What is the maximum fine for reckless driving in Virginia?

Under Virginia traffic law, reckless driving is a Class One misdemeanor. A Class One misdemeanor in Virginia carries a maximum fine of $2,500 along with a potential one-year jail sentence. The fine and jail sentence could be tacked onto penalties for other charges the prosecutor brings against you.

How long do points stay on your driving record?

Your points remain on your driving history for a long time, up to 11 years in many cases, for a conviction for reckless driving. Even if the Virginia DMV removes demerit points from your driving history over time, your car insurer might not.

Do you need a lawyer for a reckless driving ticket?

Many people who receive traffic citations do not hire a lawyer. They simply pay the fine and move on. You cannot take that approach with a reckless driving ticket. Reckless driving is a crime, rather than a traffic offense.

How much does a lawyer charge to interview you?

Depending upon all those factors, legal fees could vary from around $500 to $1,500 and even up to $2,500 in some areas.

What questions should I ask a lawyer?

These are the types of questions you need to be asking lawyers when you interview us: 1 What punishments are you looking at? 2 What outcomes may be possible when working with an experienced reckless driving lawyer like myself? 3 Is jail time a serious risk or not?

What is a CDL in a moving violation case?

The case took one court date. The client was a licensed commercial driver (CDL) charged with a serious moving violation. In order to keep driving with his company and not suffer a suspension, the client needed the serious moving violation reduced to a nonmoving violation.

What can a traffic attorney do?

Traffic attorneys can help people facing charges or who have received a major ticket for speeding, DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, red light violations, radar tickets, and other traffic violations . Even for minor tickets, trained professionals can help reduce charges and sometimes prevent clients from getting points against their driver’s ...

How long is a traffic violation a misdemeanor?

This type of traffic offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. Through negotiations with the supervising attorney for the State's Attorney's Office, the offense was reduced from a misdemeanor to a petty offense (noncriminal) with court supervision (no conviction).

How much does Fenbert charge for traffic?

Fenbert of Fenbert & Associates typically charges $350 per court date for misdemeanor traffic offenses. These cases may include a motion hearing, a trial or a sentencing hearing with the judge.

How long does reckless driving stay on your record?

If charged with reckless driving, an individual could face the following penalties: Revocation or suspension of one’s driver’s license for up to six months, A $2,500 maximum fine, A one year maximum jail sentence, Six-point demerit points onto their driving record that will stay there for 11 years.

What is the most common reason for a reckless driving ticket in Virginia?

Failure to turn on headlights. In the state of Virginia, speeding is the most common reason for receiving a reckless driving ticket. Typically, this means driving over 20 mph over the speed limit or driving over 85 mph. However, the judge may be lenient on you depending on a few factors:

What does it mean when you get pulled over for speeding in Virginia?

Being pulled over and ticketed for speeding in Virginia mostly means one of two things. Either it was regular speeding, which is classified as an infraction, or you are being charged with reckless driving, a class 1 misdemeanor that potentially brings harsher consequences. If it is Reckless Driving –How Much is a Reckless Speeding Ticket in ...

What is a speeding ticket in Virginia?

A speeding ticket in Virginia is classified as an infraction. Reckless driving, 20 mph or more over the speed limit or driving in excess of 85 mph, is a Class 1 Misdemeanor.

What is the Virginia Code for Reckless Driving?

The specific section of Virginia Code for reckless driving is 46.2-852: “Irrespective of the maximum speeds permitted by law, any person who drives a vehicle on any highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person shall be guilty of reckless driving.”.

Can you get points for reckless driving in Virginia?

Yes. Out-of-state drivers will be treated the same as Virginia residents with reckless driving charges. There is, however, some possible difference in the final result of your case. Depending on your home state’s laws, you may not receive points on your license or restrictions on your driving privileges.

Does Virginia have reckless driving laws?

Virginia has the most severe consequences for reckless driving and facts that would not support a reckless driving charge in other states does so in Virginia. For that reason, many who are pulled over and ticketed mistakenly believe what they been issued a routine traffic ticket, not a criminal citation.