Chesterfield Reckless Driving: Classes as Mitigation

Compared to some of its neighboring states and jurisdictions, Virginia takes reckless driving charges, particularly as they relate to speed, very seriously. Driving twenty mph above the speed limit will likely get someone charged with reckless driving by speed, which is a misdemeanor charge. As a misdemeanor charge, the possible penalties attached to it are more severe than if someone were to be issued a speeding ticket. Seek out and call a Chesterfield reckless driving lawyer as soon as possible to begin building a defense. The earlier you start establishing your defense, the better chance you will have in fighting a reckless driving charge.

Impact of Reckless Driving Cases

In some cases, you can take a driving school class to avoid conviction. This will greatly depend on the charge itself and your driving record. Driving school can also be done to help try and mitigate the punishment in a case like this. In many cases, the courts in the Chesterfield and Richmond areas will consider a referral to a driving school in lieu of a punishment, if you have a good record and the case is not an aggravated one.

Driving Schools in Chesterfield

Driving schools in Chesterfield are offered by any number of agencies. What you can typically do is go to the Virginia DMV website to get some information about approved driving schools. You’re going to want to find a school that has been recognized by the Virginia DMV, just to be safe. These classes can be taken in person or online and usually cost anywhere between 50 to 100 dollars.

The time commitment on these cases can vary significantly. If it’s an in-person class, the classes are typically done and over in one day and lasts anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. They can also be done online. For online versions driving courses, the length typically runs on the same time-frame. If you do it online, you have the convenience to be able to do a little bit each day.  then say that you’ll continue it and come back to it.

Benefit of Driving Classes

A driving school can really have a significant impact on the outcome of your case, especially if it’s done for mitigation. It can show that you are prepared to address the issue and also serve as a minor punishment in lieu of a conviction and a high fine. We can also use it as mitigation and negotiate with a prosecuting attorney to try and get your case reduced.

Out-of-State Drivers

If you reside outside the state of Virginia and received a reckless driving charge as you were passing through, it is still possible to participate in a driving school in hopes of mitigating the penalties in your case. While it may not be practical for you to travel into Chesterfield to attend driving school, you also have online options to consider. Additionally, Chesterfield courts are benevolent enough that they will consider your participation in a driving class if the class has been approved by your state’s DMV.