Fight Reckless Driving Charges with The Virginia Justice Group
Reckless driving is not just a speeding ticket!
In Virginia, Reckless Driving is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. This means that you can face up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, and a 6-month loss of your driving privileges if found guilty. You will also be assessed 6 DMV demerit points, which will likely affect your car insurance rates.
Reckless Driving can be shown in a number of different ways, but the most common, by far, is Reckless Driving by Speed. Reckless by Speed occurs when a driver is driving more than 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit or over 85 miles per hour (regardless of the speed limit). That means that you can go to jail for speeding. In many jurisdictions, prosecutors will push for jail time and judges will consider it for speeds exceeding 90 to 100 miles per hour.
As damaging as the potential sentence may be, having a misdemeanor conviction may be just as harmful. If you are found guilty of Reckless Driving, either for
Speeding,
Failing to keep control of your vehicle or
you will have a permanent criminal record. Trust the Virginia Justice Group to handle your reckless driving case in Prince William, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Stafford and beyond.
“CJ was just awesome!!!!!! He help me with my case and won with great results!!!! I highly recommend!!! Also note he always responded to my text calls and also answered all my questions during the whole process, he just amazing!!!!!”
— CHRISTOPHER G., CLIENT
How can my lawyer help me beat a reckless driving case?
How you and your lawyer approach a Reckless Driving case can make all the difference. First, we always examine the evidence to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support the charge of reckless driving. This is done by a thorough review of any body-worn camera or dash camera footage, a review of any police reports or notes taken by the officer, and a review of the calibrations for the devices that the police officer used to measure your speed.
In addition to examining the evidence, we also take a comprehensive approach to prepare mitigation evidence, which can be used in negotiations with the prosecutor and before the judge to persuade them that that your Reckless Driving charge should be amended or reduced to a lesser traffic infraction as opposed to a misdemeanor.
This mitigation evidence can take time to prepare, so retaining a lawyer right away will get your case off on the right foot.
Strategy Points
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The short answer is yes. In many jurisdictions, speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour or greater are considered for not only a misdemeanor conviction, but also jail time. Reckless Driving charges are serious offenses.
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Courts and judges usually accept the police officer’s speed device readings as accurate evidence. However, if we can show that the police officer’s device was not properly calibrated or that the officer did not use the device properly, then we may be able to get the speed reading excluded. It’s also possible that your speedometer was showing the wrong speed. We can help show that your speedometer was inaccurate, which might convince the judge or prosecutor to reduce your Reckless Driving charge.
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Technically, you have the right to represent yourself. However, Reckless Driving is a serious charge and you should absolutely have a lawyer on your side when dealing with a Reckless Driving case. Not only are you facing huge fines, but you could lose your license, be stuck with a criminal record, and even go to jail.
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If you’ve been found guilty of Reckless Driving in the past, or if you have multiple prior traffic infractions, prosecutors and judges are likely to be harsher with you than with others who have a clean driving record. In a case like this, it is important that you contact a lawyer early i the process to get started off on the right foot with positive mitigation evidence, such as driver improvement programs, reckless driving classes, community service, and other measures.
Areas We Serve
Prince William County, Virginia
Manassas, Gainesville, Haymarket, Nokesville, Manassas Park, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dumfries, Occoquan
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax, Centreville, Chantilly, Fair Lakes, Reston, Herndon, Vienna, Tysons, Great Falls, McLean, Springfield, Burke, Annandale, Falls Church, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Lorton
Fauquier County, Virginia
Warrenton, Vint Hill, New Baltimore, Bealeton, Catlett, Broad Run, Marshall, The Plains, Midland, Remington, Calverton, Opal
Loudoun County, Virginia
Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn, South Riding, Broadlands, Purcellville, Aldie, Lansdowne, Brambleton, Lovettesville, Round Hill, Hillsboro, Hamilton
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford, Aquia Harbor, Falmouth, Fredericksburg
Start building your case today.
Submit a contact form and C.J. will call you to discuss the details of your case and outline a strategy for success.