Being charged with reckless driving happens more easily than you would think.
According to the VA Code, reckless driving can result from merely exceeding the speed limit by a certain amount. Reckless driving can result from other infractions too.
Under the Code of Virginia, reckless driving brings serious penalties upon conviction. You need an attorney. A Virginia criminal defense attorney can investigate and fight for your rights with the goal of getting your reckless driving charge reduced or dismissed.
What Is Reckless Driving in Virginia?
The Virginia Reckless Driving Code is the state statute that lists the reasons and penalties for a reckless driving charge. Code of Virginia § 46.2-862 defines reckless driving due to speeding. In Virginia, you commit reckless driving when you:
- Drive 20 mph or more over the speed limit, or
- Drive more than 85 mph.
While speeding is usually the cause of a reckless driving charge, other actions can prompt this charge. Additional reasons in the Virginia Reckless Driving Code include:
- Failure to stop or yield the right of way when entering a highway;
- Driving in a way that endangers the life, limb, or property of someone on public property or a highway under construction; or
- Racing on highways or public property.
As you can see, it can be easy to make a mistake on the highway that results in a charge for reckless driving under VA Code. You can learn from your mistake, but I don’t want it to impact your life permanently. That’s why I fight for drivers’ rights as a criminal attorney in Virginia.
What Are the Penalties for Reckless Driving?
In Virginia, reckless driving is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. For reckless driving, the Virginia Code imposes serious penalties, including the following:
- Six DMV points,
- A fine of up to $2,500,
- Up to 12 months in jail, and
- A license suspension of up to six months.
These penalties outlined in the Virginia reckless driving statute can cause you to suffer emotionally and financially. A reckless driving conviction can negatively impact your family and career. You must take these charges seriously and hire a skilled attorney to fight for you.
How Can an Attorney Help?
A reckless driving conviction can negatively impact your life, leaving you with a permanent criminal record, higher insurance premiums, and difficulty finding a job. You need an attorney who will advocate for your interests by doing the following:
- Finding out what happened to cause your reckless driving charge,
- Requesting your driving record and evaluating prior offenses,
- Finding out if the officer has the evidence to prove the case,
- Investigating whether the officer’s radar equipment was calibrated and accurate, and
- Working with the prosecutor to dismiss or reduce your charges.
Even when I can’t get your case thrown out, I work with the prosecutor and/or officer to propose solutions for reducing your charges. For instance, the prosecutor might agree to a reduced charge in exchange for you going to driving school or performing community service.
My goal is to keep a Virginia Code reckless driving charge off your record so that it doesn’t negatively impact your life.
Contact me, attorney Andrew Flusche, today to get started on your reckless driving defense. I authored a book on defending against reckless driving charges and have helped hundreds of clients fight their reckless driving cases. We can discuss strategies for your defense if you call me for a free consultation.
Andrew Flusche
Andrew Flusche is a traffic and misdemeanor lawyer in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He helps clients overcome their honest mistakes, and fights for client’s licenses, their jobs, their freedom, and even their insurance rates. Andrew earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and then opened his practice in 2008. Your initial consultation is always free, and you’ll talk directly with Andrew about any details concerning your case. If you need help and want to get started on your case reach out and ask Andrew a question about your charge.