How Much Is a Reckless Driving Ticket in Virginia?

As leading reckless driving attorneys in Virginia, we’ve helped numerous clients beat or reduce their charges and protect their futures. If you’ve been charged with reckless driving in Virginia, don’t panic: We may be able to help. Schedule a free case consultation to learn more.

At some point in their lives, most adult drivers end up getting at least one traffic ticket. Although being pulled over and ticketed can be a frustrating experience (especially when you’re hit with a hefty fine), it’s typically no big deal. That is, unless your ticket was for reckless driving.

That’s because unlike speeding, reckless driving isn’t a mere traffic infraction—it’s a criminal offense. As a result, the penalties for reckless driving are much harsher and potentially more damaging than having to pay a fine. If convicted, you’ll be guilty of committing a class 1 misdemeanor and may even be sentenced to jail time.

The legal consequences of a reckless driving conviction are simply too severe to risk a conviction, which is why it’s essential to partner with an experienced reckless driving defense attorney as quickly as possible.

This article will explain everything you need to know about reckless driving tickets in Virginia, including the financial penalties, other legal ramifications and how an experienced attorney can help protect your future.

Just because you were charged with reckless driving doesn’t mean you’re guilty. However, you could still be convicted if you fail to mount an aggressive legal defense. The team at S&R Law Firm is here for you. Call us at (703) 273-6431 to schedule a free case evaluation today.

According to Virginia Code § 46.2-852, reckless driving is committed when “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.” This definition holds true regardless of the posted speed limit.

If you’ve been charged with reckless driving in Virginia, it’s important to understand the exact nature of your alleged crime. There are many types of reckless driving offenses in Virginia, and educating yourself on the statute under which you’ve been charged is critical to your defense.

Depending on the nature of your alleged offense, you may or may not be arrested at the time you are stopped. If you’re not arrested, you may assume the charge isn’t that serious. But that would be a huge mistake.

If you’re convicted of reckless driving in Virginia, you may be subject to a fine of up to $2,500. That fact alone is reason enough to fight your charge, but the reality is that even after you’ve paid your fine, you’ll still suffer a range of financial losses.

When you’re convicted of reckless driving, six points are automatically added to your Virginia driving record. Once that happens, your car insurance premium will likely skyrocket—maybe so high that you’re unable to afford it. Depending on the number of points you already had on your driving record, your license may be suspended for up to six months.

But that’s not the end of the financial losses you could suffer. If convicted of reckless driving, you may also be sentenced to up to a year in jail. Unable to work, you’ll lose your current job, and with a class one misdemeanor on your criminal record for the foreseeable future, finding a new one when you’re back on the outside may not be easy.

When it’s all said and done, the financial impact of a reckless driving ticket may be insurmountably high, much higher than the cost of hiring a criminal defense attorney. The best way to avoid these severe penalties is to partner with an experienced reckless driving attorney.

As discussed above, reckless driving tickets are not like other types of traffic infractions. Many types of traffic tickets in Virginia can be paid ahead of time and don’t always require a court appearance. However, reckless driving tickets cannot be prepaid and require the driver to appear in court or send a legal representative in their stead.

Although each case is different and deserves a customized legal strategy, some legal advice rings true more often than not. As experienced reckless driving defense attorneys in Virginia, here’s what we suggest:

• Do not assume your reckless driving charge will go away if you pay the fine.
• Do not plead guilty if you don’t understand the full implications of conviction.
• Do not represent yourself unless you’re an expert in Virginia criminal law.
• Do not make the mistake of taking your charges lightly.

In most cases, the best way to protect yourself in the wake of reckless driving charges is by soliciting help from a criminal defense attorney in Virginia to fight the charge. A skillful attorney can investigate the details of your case and gather pertinent evidence such as your driving record, calibration certificate and witness statements.

Your attorney can also help facilitate your participation in a driver improvement clinic and community service in order to demonstrate to the judge that you’re taking your charges seriously. They will use all the tools at their disposal to build a rock-solid defense with the goal of beating your charges or getting them reduced.

If you’ve been charged with reckless driving in Virginia, you’re in a precarious situation. If convicted, you could face life-altering penalties and serious financial losses. You may even be sentenced to up to a year in jail.

These are just some of the reasons why avoiding conviction is your best way to protect your future. We can help you get there, but you have to make the call.

Luckily, getting started with us is easy. Schedule a free consultation with us online or call our law office at (703) 273-6431 to speak with a top-tier criminal defense attorney today.