Virginia laws regarding reckless driving penalties are stringent. If you have been charged with reckless driving, it's important that you understand the full implications of pleading guilty and understand your rights to fight your charges with the help of an experienced Virginia reckless driving attorney.
Reckless Driving as Defined by Virginia Traffic Laws
Reckless driving penalties in Virginia apply to anyone who drives a motor vehicle in one of the following manners:
- At a speed of or above 20 miles per hour greater than the posted maximum speed limit.
- At a speed greater than 80 miles per hour regardless of the posted maximum speed limit.
Obviously, you do not have to drive particularly recklessly, nor do you need to drive at a speed much higher than the maximum speed limit to be driving in violation of Virginia traffic laws. In fact, you could be charged with reckless driving for a speed of 81 miles per hour in a 75 mile per hour zone. Worse still, this is not just some glorified speeding ticket; a reckless driving ticket is a criminal charge.
Reckless Driving as a Criminal Charge; What Does This Mean to Me?
Basically, the classification of reckless driving as a criminal charge makes it a more serious charge and penalties above and beyond a regular speeding ticket according to Virginia traffic laws. Penalties for reckless driving in Virginia could include extremely high fines or even jail time, not to mention the fact that a criminal charge will be permanently placed on your record.
Reckless Driving is a class 1 misdemeanor; the most serious class of misdemeanor in Virginia with maximum penalties of 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine, and a 6-month suspension of your driver's license.
If you have been ticketed for Reckless Driving/Speeding in Virginia, there is no time to waste! Get a free copy of Bob Battle's consumer guide, The Shocking Truth About Reckless Driving/Speeding in Virginia. Or, contact 804-673-5600 to schedule your legal consultation today.
Learn more about Virginia's reckless driving laws in the second half of our article.
Continue to Next Page >>
