In many states, a reckless driving conviction is not much worse than a big speeding ticket. In Virginia, however, driving laws are some of the strictest in the country, and the penalties follow suit.
Virginia’s reckless driving while speeding violations are shockingly mild for the punishment associated. In order to be cited for reckless driving involving speed, a driver must be:
- Driving faster than 85 mph,
- Driving more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit, or
- Driving too fast for current conditions.
While none of these offenses seem terribly offensive, Virginia sees them as a crime—a Class 1 misdemeanor, to be exact. Class 1 misdemeanors are entered in your permanent criminal record, and can negatively impact your career or other security-sensitive endeavors for the rest of your life.
In addition to now having a criminal record, a Virginia reckless driving while speeding conviction carries with it other severe punishments, including direct and indirect financial consequences. You will receive six points on your license, as well as a license suspension for up to six months. If you were cited as driving over 90 mph, your odds of receiving jail time are solid.
Not only will you face significant fines following a conviction, but your insurance rates will skyrocket—even higher than if you had received a DUI conviction. This can follow you for years, and the costs can snowball over time.
If you have received a citation for reckless driving while speeding in Virginia, it is important to realize that this is not an ordinary traffic ticket. That citation has the potential to follow you for the rest of your life, so it is important that you find a tough, experienced attorney to defend your case.
To learn more about the charges against you, download our FREE book, The Shocking Truth About Reckless Driving/Speeding in Virginia by filling out the brief form on this page. You can also connect with our firm by clicking on the live chat feature, or by calling us at 804.673.5600 today.