What to Expect in Court From a Chesterfield Reckless Driving Case
Unlike in many other states, Virginia classifies reckless driving as a class one misdemeanor meaning that if convicted the charge will remain on your criminal record and could result in criminal penalties such as jail time. For this reason, if you are accused of reckless driving it is important you know what to expect while facing criminal charges, including the evidence that can be used against you and how to prepare for your court date.
Below, an experienced Chesterfield reckless driving lawyer discusses these topics along with what can happen to your driver’s license if convicted. To learn more, or discuss the specifics of your case, call and schedule a consultation with an attorney today.
Who Typically Testifies in a Reckless Driving Case
Prosecutors will first have the officer testify as to what they saw, what they observed to make the case aggravating, what the demeanor of the defendant was, and other circumstances relevant to the case. If it is reckless by speed case the officer will also testify as the calibration of their radar device or vehicle if it was a speed determined by pace. A reckless driving lawyer in Chesterfield will be able to examine this documentation. If there are independent witnesses to the event they will also be called to testify.
Other Evidence in Reckless Driving Cases
If it is an accident case or if it is a case that involves aggressive driving, cutting in and out of lanes, etc. they will subpoena any independent witnesses that observed the driving so that they can testify in conjunction with the officer’s testimony. They will also provide the Court with a driving record at sentencing to help determine if this is an isolated incident or a pattern of behavior.
Drivers’ License Proceedings in Chesterfield
Drivers’ license proceedings related to reckless driving are also heard at the General District Court off Ironbridge Road. These proceedings can occur in any of the five courtrooms.
In the Chesterfield Courts, the judges are pretty straightforward about the suspension of licenses on reckless driving charges. In other words, if they impose a suspension they will not waive and often will not authorize a restricted license. However, they will consider restricted privileges if the individual can show a pressing need and only with no aggravating factors.
Advantages of Local Counsel in Chesterfield Reckless Driving Cases
Having local counsel from Chesterfield has a distinct advantage for a number of reasons:
- Having familiarity with the judge and having knowledge of how each judge treats the case is very beneficial. There are three primary judges that hear traffic cases and all of them are different.
- Having knowledge and a relationship with the prosecutors and officers involved can also be extremely beneficial in the outcome of a case.
- Having an attorney that knows the particular procedures and policies of a jurisdiction like Chesterfield is extremely important in knowing the possible ways to resolve a matter and mitigate the punishments that could be imposed.
Preparing For a Reckless Driving Case in Chesterfield
What to prepare for will depend on the particular facts of that case. If it is an aggravated case they need to be prepared for the possibility of a jail sentence and license suspension. The judges take it very seriously especially high-speed cases or cases that may involve alcohol. This is a possibility that does not exist in many other. An individual almost must be prepared for the possibility of a high fine the impact of a conviction could have on their job and driving record. We also ask our clients to be prepared to do a driving school if we can convince a judge or prosecutor to reduce the charge.
