Receiving a traffic ticket is an annoyance for anyone, but it is important to carefully read your summons. In Virginia, some driving offenses, like reckless driving, are criminal misdemeanors rather than simple traffic infractions. Call a Virginia traffic lawyer to fight your ticket or to build a defense for reckless driving. A criminal lawyer in Virginia can look at the facts of your case and help determine how to proceed. Schedule a free consultation today.
Benefits of a Virginia Traffic Lawyer
Whether you are a local driver or an out-of-state driver who received a ticket while passing through Virginia, it can pay to have a Virginia traffic attorney handle your case. You may wish to fight an unfair speeding ticket, or perhaps you realize that your traffic offense is much more serious and could lead to misdemeanor conviction if not handled appropriately.
There are a number of reasons why it can be helpful to hire a local attorney to handle your case:
- Certain cases, like reckless driving or DUI, are not mere traffic violations but are criminal misdemeanor charges. Without skillful defense, you could be convicted of a crime and saddled with a criminal record.
- If a ticket is unfair, or if you have accumulated too many points on your driving record, you may need to hire a Virginia traffic attorney to try to get the ticket dismissed.
- In some cases, your lawyer can appear in court on your behalf, saving you the time and hassle of a court appearance. This is particularly beneficial for out-of-state drivers who fall prey to Virginia’s tough traffic laws.
You may feel that it is easier to simply pay the ticket than to go to the trouble of finding a lawyer and fighting it, but a free consultation with one of our Virginia traffic lawyers can help you determine whether it is worth your time to challenge the ticket or charge.
- Aggressive Driving Charges
- Attempt to Elude An Officer Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Unlicensed Driving Charges
Traffic Laws in VA
One of the most common traffic violations is speeding. Sometimes, a speeding ticket is just a civil infraction, but because of Virginia’s strict traffic laws, it can very easily be so much more.
In Virginia, speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour above the posted limit, driving too fast for conditions, and speeding in excess of 80 miles per hour regardless of the posted limit are all classified as reckless driving (Virginia Code Section 46.2-862).
In general, reckless driving in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries a potential sentence of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. However, depending on the facts and circ*mstances in your case, a Virginia traffic lawyer can often get the charge dismissed or reduced to a traffic infraction punishable by a maximum $500 fine.
In Chapter 8 of Virginia’s motor vehicle code, there are a number of other driving actions which are considered to be reckless driving. These include failure to yield, passing a stopped school bus, passing on a curve or at the crest of a hill, and other simple acts. In addition to specific acts of reckless driving, Section 46.2-852 provides a general reckless driving rule that allows misdemeanor charges for any driving action that endangers “the life, limb, or property of any person.”
Contacting a Virginia Traffic Attorney
If you have been pulled over in Virginia traffic stop, it is in your best interest to consult a local traffic attorney to determine whether fighting the ticket is a worthwhile endeavor. If the traffic stop leads to a criminal charge of reckless driving or DUI, finding a lawyer is imperative for your defense and for the preservation of your rights. Call to speak with a Virginia traffic lawyer about your case.
