How to Beat a Reckless Driving Ticket in Virginia

As leading traffic ticket defense attorneys in Virginia, we’ve helped countless clients resolve their reckless driving tickets favorably. If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, the stakes are higher than you may realize. Schedule a free consultation with us to learn more.

For many people, being pulled over and ticketed is an anxiety-inducing experience. It’s even more nerve-wracking to receive a ticket for reckless driving in Virginia.

That’s because the Commonwealth of Virginia has some of the strictest reckless driving laws in the U.S., and a conviction can lead to severe consequences. Those may include hefty fines, license suspension and even a criminal record—and those are just the legal penalties.

The true price of a reckless driving conviction may be much higher and include a range of financial, personal and social losses. The potential repercussions of this charge cannot be overstated, which is why partnering with an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential.

This article will explain everything you need to know about how to beat a reckless driving ticket in Virginia, including the nature of a reckless driving charge, possible legal penalties and potential defense strategies.

If you already have demerit points on your driving record, you simply can’t afford a reckless driving conviction. We can try to help you avoid conviction, but you need to act fast. Contact S&R Law Firm online or call our law office at (703) 273.6431 to get started.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, reckless driving is not a simple traffic violation—it’s a criminal offense. According to Virginia Code § 46.2-862, a person can be charged with reckless driving when they engage in the following:

• Driving 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit
• Driving faster than 85 mph, regardless of the posted speed limit
• Driving in a way that endangers the life, physical safety or property of another person

Under this definition, reckless driving can encompass a wide range of dangerous behaviors, from excessive speeding to failing to obey traffic laws to driving with faulty brakes. Regardless of why you’ve been charged with reckless driving, the penalties carry hefty consequences.

It’s important to understand that when we talk about the consequences of a reckless driving conviction, we’re not just talking about legal penalties. Conviction of this crime can have ramifications for your personal, social and professional life, too; it can devastate your finances and make finding and maintaining employment far more difficult.

Here are a few of the repercussions you may face as a result of a reckless driving conviction:

• Criminal record. In Virginia, reckless driving convictions typically result in Class I misdemeanor, which is the most serious level of misdemeanor. However, depending on the specific of your case, you may even be charged with a felony. Either way, it will go on your criminal record and stay there for years.
• Hefty fines. Depending on the severity of your offense, you may incur hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars in fines.
• Points on your driving record. A reckless driving conviction in Virginia automatically adds six points to your driving record. Even if your record didn’t have any points on it before this, six points is enough to make your insurance premiums skyrocket.
• Driver’s license suspension. A reckless driving conviction may also result in the suspension of your driving privileges.
• Negative impact on employment. A criminal record can make finding (or maintaining employment) extremely difficult. It can also affect your educational opportunities, especially if you’re pursuing a line of work that requires background checks.

Ultimately, you need to understand that the effects of a reckless driving conviction are far-reaching and may impact every aspect of your life. That’s why it’s critical to work with an experienced traffic violation defense attorney with a proven track record of winning cases like yours.

Although the burden of proving your guilt lies with the prosecution, you’ll need to demonstrate that your charges resulted from mistakes, misunderstandings or other unforeseen circumstances if you want to avoid conviction. Here are some of the defense strategies you and your attorney may want to consider:

• You weren’t the one driving. This may not seem like an obvious defense, but sometimes it’s the best one. That’s because it requires the prosecution to present proof you were driving the vehicle, which they don’t always have.
• You engaged in careless—not reckless—driving. While both careless driving and reckless driving are traffic violations, careless driving is considered a less serious offense and punished more leniently.
• Your manner of driving was appropriate for the situation. It’s possible that you had no other choice but to engage in a style of driving that is considered reckless, and that you did so because of some emergency situation that presented a threat to you or a third party.
• You were distracted for a legitimate reason. You may have been driving recklessly because you were distracted by something that urgently required your attention. You may be able to argue that ignoring that distraction would have put you or someone else at risk, and that you had no choice but to divert your attention.
• The evidence against you is inaccurate. You may be able to argue that your speedometer was calibrated inaccurately, and if you can prove it, this is a compelling defense.

Rather than a comprehensive list of possible defenses, the strategies described above are just a few of potential arguments at your disposal. Ultimately, the best defense strategy for you will be the one that fits with the specific details of your case.

You don’t have to hire a reckless driving defense attorney to handle your case. You can always just plead guilty, pay the fine and accept the consequences. However, in the vast majority of cases, it is in the accused’s best interest to secure legal counsel.

Traffic violation laws in Virginia are complex, and navigating the legal system alone is a recipe for disaster. A top traffic violation defense attorney has the legal knowledge, experience, negotiation skills, courtroom finesse, resources and interpersonal skills necessary to make sure you don’t suffer unnecessarily.

However, not every criminal defense attorney is equally versed in beating these types of charges. When you’re selecting a legal representative to defend you and protect your future, it’s smart to select someone with a proven track record and positive reputation among current and past clients. Fortunately, you don’t have to look too far: S&R Law Firm is here for you.

Receiving a reckless driving ticket in Virginia can be a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to devastate your life. It all hinges on what you do after being charged.

In most cases, the best move you can make is to contact a respected criminal defense law firm in Virginia and ask to set up an initial consultation. A compassionate and knowledgeable attorney can review the details of your case and lay out your legal options as they see them. Together, you can decide the best path forward.

Not sure where to start? Don’t stress—we’ve got you covered. Contact S&R Law Firm to take advantage of a free, no-obligation case consultation with one of our talented legal professionals today.