Chesterfield Reckless Driving: Out-of-State Drivers
Chesterfield treats speeding charges and reckless driving charges differently than other jurisdictions. Chesterfield law enforcement can be particularly harsh in punishing these types of traffic cases. High speed reckless driving cases or aggravated reckless driving cases can often result in a jail sentence and a long-term license suspension. For more information about how an out-of-state driver can confront and tackle reckless driving charges in Virginia, call and schedule a consultation with a Chesterfield reckless driving lawyer now.
What to Do After Receiving a Ticket
The first thing you should do if you receive a police ticket in Chesterfield is to contact a local attorney who is going to help you understand exactly what you’re charged with and what the possible penalties are. You’ll also want to get an idea of how the court system in Chesterfield treats these specific charges and what penalties you may be facing.
If you’re an out-of-state driver and charged with reckless driving or speeding in Chesterfield, you should contact local counsel. You’re going to want an attorney that understands the court system and the procedures in Chesterfield as well as has knowledge of handling specific reckless driving cases.
What a lawyer can do with regard to a reckless driving case in Chesterfield is to review with you the various options for handling the case. You can always argue the case, which can be difficult. You can prepare for mitigation by completing a driving school and possibly doing some community service. You’ll also need to provide your attorney with a driving record from your state. In addition, an attorney can also speak with the commonwealth attorney and the officer involved in the case to try and work out an agreement.
Retaining a Lawyer to Represent You in Court
In some cases with a reckless driving case, a lawyer can appear on your behalf if you live out-of-state and are unable to make it back to Chesterfield for a court hearing. It will depend on the specific charge and if the attorney can get your appearance waived.
Ignorance as Defense Against Chesterfield Reckless Driving Charges
Unfortunately, being unaware of the speed limits or the particular charges in Chesterfield is not a defense.
The old saying “ignorance of the law is not a defense to a violation” is always true in these court cases. If you’re an out-of-state driver, the court views it as your responsibility to know the laws for the state in which you’re driving.
Differentiating Between Reckless Driving Charge & Speeding Ticket
There are a couple of ways to determine if you’ve been charged with reckless driving. You can ask the officer if you’ve been charged. Typically, the officer will write it on the left hand side of the ticket where it describes what you’ve been charged with or what the offense is. In addition, the ticket will have a notation that you are required to appear in court as you are with all reckless driving charges.
If your speeding ticket is a reckless driving charge for an out-of-state driver, it typically means you’re going to need to appear in court. It also can result in a license suspension. If it’s an aggravated case for an extremely high speed, it can even result in a jail sentence. Individuals wouldn’t need to appear in court if an attorney can get your appearance waived.
Main Things Out-of-State Drivers Should Know
The main thing that every out-of-state driver should know about tickets in Chesterfield is specifically how severe the punishments can be. For instance, being charged with reckless driving for going over 90 miles an hour in Chesterfield will often result in a jail sentence and a license suspension. Also, there are the points that come with any sort of reckless driving ticket in Virginia. In addition, if you’re convicted of reckless driving in the state of Virginia, it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor which is a criminal offense.