Caught Driving Recklessly in Virginia
Reckless driving might not seem like a big deal. Maybe you just got distracted and were going faster than you meant to. Maybe you were just having a good time with your buddies and pushed the envelope too far. In Virginia reckless driving is a serious offense — only one step below a felony.
Reckless driving is driving in a manner that could damage property or injure others, but you do not need to cause an accident to be charged.
The most common type of reckless driving is excessive speeding. You can be charged with reckless driving if you are driving 20 mph over the posted limit, or more than 80 mph, regardless of the actual speed limit. Other examples of reckless driving include:
- Excessive or extreme lane changes
- Following too close
- Driving up on the curb
- Aggressive driving
The exact traffic offense you are charged with depends on the facts of your case. With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, it is sometimes possible to get a reckless driving charge dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense.
If you have been charged with reckless driving, you want attorneys on your side who know what you face and how to fight it. Contact a Norfolk reckless driving lawyer at Myers & Myers today for a free consultation. Call to schedule a free initial consultation at 757-583-1879 to learn more about your rights and your options.
Consequences of a Reckless Driving Conviction
A conviction for reckless driving can lead to jail time, high fines and loss of your license for up to six months. Reckless driving is particularly bad for your auto insurance premiums, which are likely to go up. Even if you do not lose your license or get jail time, it is worth the money and time to fight the charge because of the effect it will likely have on your auto insurance.
If you're in the military, there could be consequences on that end, too. A reckless driving charge is the equivalent to getting caught stealing or getting a DUI — it is common to receive restrictions, loss of pay for a time and maybe even loss of rank. In extreme cases, you may lose your classified/secret clearance status or get discharged.
If you are applying for a job, a prospective employer can see a reckless driving conviction on your criminal record and may view this as an indication that you are irresponsible.
Experienced Lawyers Fighting for Results
At Myers & Myers, our defense strategy will depend upon the circumstances of your case. Our goal is always to try to avoid a conviction by getting the charges dropped or proving your innocence. If that is not possible, we then seek to get the reckless driving charge reduced to a lesser offense, depending on the facts. If you are found guilty of any criminal offense, we can work to minimize the impact of the sentence against you, seeking community service or probation rather than time in jail.
These charges should be taken seriously, and we do. Our defense lawyers have handled hundreds of traffic violations cases over the years.
We understand Virginia traffic laws and know how to approach the judge with them. The clerks and judges in the Norfolk and other local traffic courts know what we're about. What means more to many of our clients is that we will take every case personally. We care and take pride in the results we get for you.
Contact a Virginia traffic offense attorney at Myers & Myers today to talk about your reckless driving charge. Call to schedule a free initial consultation at 757-583-1879 to learn more about your rights and your options.
