In general, my reckless driving defense fees are in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.
Should I hire an attorney for reckless driving in VA?
No. Since reckless driving in VA is a criminal offense, the penalties and long term consequences—such as a criminal record—can be severe. It is in your best interest to consult with a Virginia reckless driving attorney before making any decisions.
How much does a lawyer cost in Virginia?
How much do lawyers charge in Virginia? The typical lawyer in Virginia charges between $186 and $391 per hour. Costs vary depending on the type of lawyer, so review our lawyer rates table to find out the average cost to hire an attorney in Virginia.
How much does a traffic attorney cost in VA?
The standard hourly fee for attorneys in Virginia is between $250-$500 an hour.Aug 13, 2021
What is the cost of reckless driving in VA?
Reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. Class 1 misdemeanors in VA carry a maximum fine of $2500. This maximum fine is not imposed often in many jurisdictions, but it is imposed in some (see below).
How do you fight a reckless driving ticket in Virginia?
The most effective option for beating a reckless driving ticket is to hire an attorney skilled in traffic court. An attorney who has experience in this field will usually know the judge and prosecutor, and may even know the officer, which provides an advantage in your case.Feb 26, 2021
What is the law for reckless driving in Virginia?
Reckless driving; general rule. 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.
What happens if you get a reckless driving ticket in Virginia?
Reckless driving crosses the mark from traffic infractions to a criminal charge, so it is a Class One misdemeanor. Class One misdemeanors come with a maximum fine of $2,500 and the possibility of jail time for up to 12 months, so it is serious.
Can you go to jail for reckless driving in Virginia?
Reckless Driving in Virginia
Reckless driving is usually a Class 1 misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail, six months suspended driver's license, six points on your driving record in Virginia, and a fine of up to $2,500.Jan 11, 2017
How do I fight a speeding ticket in Virginia?
The first option is to go for a plea deal, in which the speed is reduced, resulting in fewer points on your license. This still requires pleading guilty to a crime, and those points will stay on your record for some time. The second option for contesting a speeding ticket is to fight for a full dismissal in court.Aug 20, 2021
How long does a reckless driving stay on your record in Virginia?
Under Virginia law, a conviction for reckless driving will remain on your Virginia driving record for 11 years. Note the use of the word 'conviction'. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor. If you pay a reckless driving ticket, you are pleading guilty to the offense.
Is reckless driving a criminal offense?
Damages and Injuries as a Result of Reckless Driving
According to DOJ, "depending on the extent of damages caused, a person may be charged with crimes such as physical injuries, damage to property or even homicide and murder."Sep 30, 2018
Can a reckless driving charge be expunged in Virginia?
Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, and you will have a permanent criminal record if convicted. Unfortunately, you only have a very limited right to get a reckless driving conviction expunged from your criminal record.
The Most Important Question
There’s a more important question than “what does a lawyer cost” that you need to be asking:
Contact a Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer Today
If you are looking for a VA reckless driving lawyer, please contact me today for a free case strategy session.
Andrew Flusche
My name is Andrew Flusche. I am a traffic and misdemeanor defense lawyer in Virginia. I limit my practice to traffic tickets and misdemeanor defense, so I know the ins and outs of these offenses. I literally wrote the book on reckless driving in Virginia which you can get on Amazon here or download for free here.
How long does it take to get your license back?
If you want to try to get your license back, you have less than 5 days to hire a lawyer. Your trial date is almost always less than 2 months from the date you were charged and, thus, waiting just 14 days to hire a lawyer could severely handicap your defense.
Who is Bob Battle?
Bob Battle is the only Virginia reckless driving attorney to offer a guarantee that could be worth thousands of dollars in free legal representation. Under Virginia law, if you are convicted of Reckless Driving/Speeding in the General District Court, you have a right to appeal and get a new trial in the Circuit Court.
Misdemeanor Reckless Driving Defense
Reckless driving in Virginia is defined by state code § 46.2-852. According to this definition, it is illegal to drive a vehicle on a roadway in a way that is deemed reckless, in a manner that endangers “life, limb or property,” or at a speed that is similarly deemed reckless.
Felony Reckless Driving Defense in Virginia
According to state code § 46.2-868, if you’re found guilty and one of the following two statements are true, you could be convicted of a Class 6 felony as opposed to a Class 1 misdemeanor:
Other Causes for Reckless Driving Charges in Virginia
Aside from speeding 20 mph over the legal limit, you could be charged with reckless driving in Virginia for one of the following:
How much does a lawyer cost per hour?
There are lawyers who cost as much as $1,000 per hour, but the average cost for most people who need legal representation for regular cases will be $200–$400 per hour. Rates can vary dramatically.
What is flat fee for a lawyer?
Fixed or flat fee. Lawyers will generally charge a flat fee for representing your legal interest in a simpler legal case —like the creation of an uncomplicated LLC or a simple estate plan—because matters are well defined and the case is relatively straightforward.
When a lawyer thinks it's likely you'll get a significant payout in the case, what happens
Sometimes, when a lawyer thinks it’s likely you’ll get a significant payout in the case because it looks like it will go in your favor, the lawyer may choose to defer payment until the case has been settled.
How many hours does a lawyer work?
Given that a standard work week is 40 hours, a brand-new partner in a law firm (usually after about ten years working at the firm) will typically have at least between 24,000 to 25,000 hours of experience under the belt versus roughly 4,800 hours for a lawyer finishing up a second year as an associate.
What is the most common fee structure for lawyers?
Of all the different fee structures, the one most commonly used by lawyers is hourly fees, because it is often next to impossible to determine exactly what level of effort will be required to either defend or prosecute the case.
What is contingent fee?
With bigger cases and larger payouts, lawyers have an option to work on the basis of what is referred to as a contingent fee. Under this structure, the lawyer is only paid in the eventuality of a particular outcome from the case, such as either your case concluding in your favor or a settlement being agreed in your favor.
What is success fee?
The success fee is a combination of elements from a contingent fee structure and an hourly fee structure, resulting in a lower hourly fee with an agreed payout amount or percentage in the event that the case concludes with a result that is in line with your desired outcome for the case.