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.
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.
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).
The standard hourly fee for attorneys in Virginia is between $250-$500 an hour.Aug 13, 2021
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
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.
11 yearsUnder Virginia law, a conviction for reckless driving will remain on your Virginia driving record for 11 years.
A conviction for dangerous or reckless driving is a criminal conviction.
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.
Reckless Driving in Virginia Reckless driving is not merely a moving violation, it is a criminal charge. 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
If you want an experienced lawyer who will do just your case, depending upon the complexity, $950 for the simplest case and $1,600 – $2,200 for complex cases or speeds greater than 100 mph.
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
There’s a more important question than “what does a lawyer cost” that you need to be asking:
If you are looking for a VA reckless driving lawyer, please contact me today for a free case strategy session.
Any person who drives a vehicle recklessly or that is not under proper control, or that endangers life, limb or property violates the reckless driving law . There are various different sections of the Virginia law that apply to reckless driving accident cases.
CAUTION: A reckless driving conviction will on average increase the automobile insurance premium by 73% or $1,046 EACH YEAR , according to a study conducted by Insurance.com.
It is important to defend a reckless driving case because a conviction is permanent and will be reported back to the home state. Some states, Connecticut and Massachusetts, suspend driving privileges if convicted.
In Virginia, convictions are permanent, cannot be expunged and stay in the Virginia DMV files for 11 years. Do not miss an opportunity to defend yourself.
The Virginia law states that one is guilty of reckless driving for either driving at a speed of 20 mph or more over the limit OR driving at any speed over 85 miles per hour regardless of the speed limit.
There are many places on Virginia interstates where the speed limit is 70 mph. If the speed evidence is 86 mph in a 70 mph zone, then the reckless driving law for excessive speed would be violated. Thus, a motorist can commit a criminal offense for speeding 16 mph over the limit.
A Virginia reckless driving attorney represents those charged with serious traffic offenses in a state with some of the nation’s toughest traffic laws. The consequences for a reckless driving conviction go far beyond the typical ticket or traffic citation to include not only fines, but also the possible suspension of a driver’s license, jail time, and a criminal record that can impact future employment opportunities. A criminal traffic conviction can also cause a dramatic increase in insurance premiums, potentially creating a financial hardship that can last for several years. If you have been charged with a serious criminal traffic offense, protect your rights, your privileges, and your future with the help of a seasoned legal professional. The stakes are much higher when you are facing a criminal charge as opposed to a simple traffic violation, a qualified reckless driving lawyer in Virginia will both understand that and reflect it in their passion and intensity for the case. A competent VA lawyer will fight on your behalf until they reach the final resolution of your reckless driving case.
You have alternatives for avoiding conviction, and a skilled Virginia reckless driving lawyer can help. In some cases, if you are represented by an attorney, they may appear in court on your behalf, saving you the time and hassle of a court appearance.
Unlike with a typical traffic ticket, you cannot simply mail in your payment for a reckless driving summons. It is a criminal charge, and you may face conviction and additional penalties beyond the fine. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case, you do not have to plead guilty. You have alternatives for avoiding conviction, ...
Speeding. A criminal traffic charge is not a simple citation or moving violation. Reckless driving in Virginia is a class I misdemeanor that carries the possibility of a suspended license, significant fines, and even jail time. Furthermore, conviction of a criminal traffic offense leads to a criminal record without provision for expungement.
A criminal traffic conviction can also cause a dramatic increase in insurance premiums, potentially creating a financial hardship that can last for several years. If you have been charged with a serious criminal traffic offense, protect your rights, your privileges, and your future with the help of a qualified reckless driving lawyer in VA.
Not only must any driver pass a test to obtain a license, but they must continue to drive in a way that does not violate the rules of the road or place other people in an unnecessary risk of harm.
Unlike most other instances that involve getting pulled over by a police officer, reckless driving is a criminal offen se. While many traffic stops for allegations of speeding, driving while texting, or running a red light are mere moving violations, these charges are criminal offenses.
If you have been charged with reckless driving in Richmond, the consequences may be more serious than you think. Because Virginia designates this particular crime as a Class 1 misdemeanor, a conviction could result in jail time—a far cry from your average speeding ticket.
Class 6 Felony—According to Virginia Code Section 18.2-10, a class 6 felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
Distracted Driving in Richmond. Driving recklessly means driving in a manner that endangers your life, the life of others or public or private property. For instance, driving recklessly could be driving the wrong way on a one-way road, or driving on the sidewalk, or driving while applying make-up or changing your clothes.
According to Virginia Code Section 46.2-1078.1, first offenses of texting while driving are fined $125, and any subsequent offenses are fined $250. While these numbers seem low, consider that you can be ticketed for reckless driving, which carries a much steeper penalty. More people are communicating with their fingertips than ever before.
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, reckless driving is defined by Virginia Code Section 46.2-862 as a number of dangerous actions, such as operating a motorized vehicle at speeds of 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit or at speeds higher than 80 miles per hour on any roadway, public or private.
As a Richmond reckless driving attorney can tell you, Virginia has 20 sections pertaining to reckless driving, which include: Driving a vehicle not under your control (for example, having faulty brakes, poor steering, non-working headlights or flashers)
Richmond Reckless Driving Punishments. Reck less driving is a serious offense, not only because it carries serious penalties, but also because of the danger it poses to people and property. If you’ve been ticketed for reckless driving, there are two different convictions to consider. Class 1 Misdemeanor— Reckless driving convictions are class 1 ...