Reckless Driving Law Overview in Virginia
If you were given a ticket for reckless driving in the state of Virginia, you’re probably wondering about reckless driving law. It’s always best to speak with an experienced, local attorney, like Reckless Driving Attorney David A.C. Long, before your court date. In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know about reckless driving law in Virginia.
Reckless Driving: A Criminal Offense
Reckless driving is considered to be a severe criminal offense in Virginia. It’s a class 1 misdemeanor that comes with six DMV points, a possible jail sentence of 12 months max, and up to $2,500 in fines. Additionally, it’s possible that your license will be suspended for as long as six months. Furthermore, a conviction for reckless driving in Virginia will stay on your record for as long as 11 years.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Most of the time, a reckless driving ticket in Virginia is based on the speed at which you were driving. If you go more than 20 miles over the speed limit, or if you’re driving at more than 85 mph, you could be charged with reckless driving.
Other Reasons for Reckless Driving
Even if you were not speeding more than 20 mph over the speed limit or 85 mph overall, you might still get a reckless driving ticket. In Virginia, it’s possible that a police officer will give you a ticket for reckless driving if it seems that you’re driving in a way that could damage property, yourself or someone else.
Getting a Reckless Driving Charge Dismissed or Reduced
If you were given a reckless driving ticket, it’s still possible to have the charge dismissed entirely, or at least reduced. These are the factors that will go into determining the outcome:
• Your driving record. If you have a good driving record, this will work in your favor.
• If the speedometer in your car is incorrect. While you may not get the case dismissed, it could go towards reducing the outcome.
• Calibration issues with the police officer’s radar, which could affect what speed he thought you were going at vs. the speed you were driving.
• If you were on your way to an emergency, it’s possible that the judge will reduce or dismiss your case.
If you are facing a reckless driving offense, you need a qualified, experienced attorney on your side, like Reckless Driving Attorney David A.C. Long.