Fauquier County Reckless Driving Attorney
If you are accused of reckless driving in Fauquier County, Virginia, you will learn quickly that the charge is much more than a mere traffic violation. Reckless driving is a criminal charge that is punishable by high fines, jail, and the suspension of your driver’s license. Other unwanted consequences include an adverse impact on your auto insurance, and the ability to obtain a security clearance. In fact, a conviction of reckless driving might have a direct impact on maintaining your current employment or obtaining a job in the future. Needless to say, these charges could affect you and your family throughout your lifetime if you are convicted. With so much at stake, it is important to consider contacting a Fauquier County reckless driving lawyer.
Reckless Driving in Virginia
According to the Code of Virginia (Section 46.2-852), any individual driving a vehicle recklessly or at a rate of speed that could endanger a person’s life, limb or property is guilty of driving recklessly. Reckless driving also includes exceeding 80 miles per hour or exceeding the speed limit by 20 miles an hour or greater (Section 46.2-862). Being found guilty of reckless driving can result in a suspension of one’s driver’s license (Section 46.2-868.1).
With the conviction of reckless action behind the wheel of a vehicle, you could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2500. If your actions caused the death of an individual, you can be found guilty in Virginia of a Class 6 felony.
The Value of Legal Representation
A skilled Fauquier County reckless driving lawyer can likely provide a more successful outcome than representing yourself and hoping for the best. Many times, accused reckless drivers are cited as a result of the subjective opinions of the police officers that stopped them on the road. The officers’ determination might not have been made on all pertinent facts involved in the incident. In fact, they have the ability to stop and arrest any individual for reckless driving if they have observed the individual:
- Operating a vehicle with faulty or improperly adjusted brakes
- Operating an overloaded vehicle that is obstructing controls or view
- Operating the vehicle while driving next to another vehicle on a single lane roadway
- Failing to use proper signals
- Operating the vehicle too fast for current traffic conditions, even if it is lower than the posted speed limit
- Failing to yield to another’s right-of-way
- Driving at speeds 20 miles per hour or greater than the posted speed limit
- Driving at speeds greater than 80 miles per hour no matter what the speed limit
- Racing
- Endangering any other individual or property in parking lots or driveways
- “Burning rubber” or spinning the wheels at a high-speed
- Passing illegally around a stopped school bus or pedestrians, along a highway intersection, or a railroad crossing, or passing more than one vehicle at a time
As a Class 1 misdemeanor, reckless driving in the Commonwealth of Virginia has serious consequences that include:
- Placing six points on your driving record
- A fine of up to $2500
- A jail sentence up to one year
- A suspension of all of your driving privileges for up to six months
- A criminal record
A skilled Fauquier County reckless driving lawyer can use his or her negotiation skills to try to reduce or dismiss your charges. This will help avoid dealing with increased vehicle insurance rates or the inability to rent vehicles in the future. In addition, they can help you avoid a conviction that could cost you a government security clearance or cause you to be ineligible for employment in law enforcement or the military. In fact, any individual that is applying for their US citizenship will need to indicate if they have ever been convicted of reckless driving. A skilled attorney can work on your case to have your charges reduced to avoid the 11 years the reckless driving charge will remain on your DMV records.
Hiring a Fauquier County Reckless Driving Lawyer
A Fauquier County reckless driving lawyer will advise you against automatically pleading guilty of your reckless driving charge. In Virginia, reckless driving is a criminal offense with extensive long-term consequences and high fee penalties. An attorney can provide you the legal counseling you need to make an informed decision, and bring clarity to the often-confusing legal process. No matter how cut-and-dry your case seems to you, a reckless driving attorney can develop a strong defense and prepare you for your court appearance.
