FAIRFAX RECKLESS DRIVING ATTORNEY (46.2-862)

I am sure you are alarmed after having received a Criminal Traffic ticket.  As a Fairfax reckless driving attorney, I have represented clients in Northern Virginia courts and can fight your reckless ticket in court.

read below how we fight penalties of fairfax reckless driving tickets

Fairfax County, Virginia takes reckless driving very seriously.  Reckless driving is a class 1 criminal misdemeanor.

This means that it can carry a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of $2,500. 

Reckless driving offenses can impact your driver’s license, your insurance premiums, and your employment. 

You have to disclose reckless driving when employers ask for criminal history. 

To help fight these consequences, contact the Fairfax reckless driving attorney at American Lawyers Group.

What Actually is Reckless Driving?

46.2-852 is Virginia’s law on reckless driving.  Under this section of the law, reckless driving is when driving behavior creates a danger to the property, life, or limb of others. 

Law enforcement use witnesses and any damage patterns to help determine whether the driving was a danger to life, limb, or property.

Testimonial evidence from a witness can be used to help prove that the driver was reckless in their behavior. 

A reckless driving charge can be pressed on the driver, even if they are the only person hurt in the accident.

It is very important to work with a reckless driving attorney Fairfax experienced with the procedures of litigating criminal traffic cases in court.

Ways Virginia Can Charge Reckless Driving

In Fairfax County Virginia, certain levels of speeding, driving with an obstructed view, and other actions can all be charged as reckless driving.

Drivers can be charged with reckless driving for going 20 mph over the posted speed limit. 

So doing 55 in a 35 is reckless driving in Virginia.  However, police can also charge you with reckless driving for any unreasonable speed that might be reckless. 

Virginia gives police a great deal of discretion when charging traffic violations. 

It is largely up to the arresting officer whether you are charged with reckless driving or a simple ticket for speeding. 

This is where your driving history comes into play.  Police can exam your prior driving offenses and take them into consideration when charging you.

In addition to the 20 mph rule for speeding, driving above 80 mph is reckless driving. 

For the 80 mph rule, it does not matter what the posted speed limit is where you are, and it does not matter where in Virginia you are.  

There are many other actions that can constitute reckless driving in Virginia. 

When getting on a highway, you must yield; failure to do so can be reckless driving. 

Driving your car with faulty or bad breaks can also be reckless driving in Virginia. 

It is also reckless driving to not have control of the vehicle. 

Other ways to be charged with reckless driving include driving past a school bus that has its “STOP” sign extended, and being in the same lane next to another car.

These are just some of the things that can be reckless driving. 

If you have questions about what kind of conduct can be considered reckless, call the attorneys at American Lawyers Group for experienced Fairfax reckless driving lawyers.

Don’t risk your license being suspended or jail contact an experienced Fairfax reckless driving attorney, to discuss your traffic case.

Many Charges on Top of Reckless Driving

Double jeopardy does not apply to moving violations.  Because of this, police can charge you with multiple crimes at the same time for the same actions.

An officer is allowed to issue a reckless driving charge and a speeding ticket on top of it under the right circumstances. 

Additionally, if a police officer notices that you are using your phone illegally while driving, you can get a ticket for that offense. 

But, the officer can also potentially give you a reckless driving charge as well.

List of The Different Reckless Driving Violations in Virginia

Reckless Driving Penalties

Fairfax County Virginia has categorized reckless driving as a class 1 misdemeanor. 

This means that if you are convicted of reckless driving, you could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. 

Reckless driving will also put points on your driver’s license. 

If you get too many points added to your license too quickly, you have to take driving classes and can have your license suspended.

A reckless driving conviction will also affect the cost of your insurance. 

Because driving history is a factor in determining prices, insurance providers will consider reckless driving convictions and increase prices for those convicted.

Employment will also be affected by reckless driving convictions. 

If employers ask about criminal history, you have to disclose reckless driving convictions. 

Most traffic offenses, such as speeding, do not have to be disclosed like this.  However, reckless driving is a very different offense.

Why You Should Hire a Fairfax Reckless Driving Attorney?

Reckless driving occurs when driving behavior poses a threat to others. 

Your insurance rates, employment possibilities, and driving privileges can all be affected by a reckless driving conviction. 

These consequences are all on top of the jail time and fines that Virginia will impose. 

If you are facing charges of reckless driving in Fairfax, Virginia, call the experienced Fairfax reckless driving attorney at American Lawyers Group.