Dinwiddie Reckless Driving Lawyer
If you are facing a reckless driving charge, you may be in serious legal jeopardy. Although not a felony, a reckless driving conviction can have a serious impact on your life for years to come.
Hire a Dinwiddie reckless driving lawyer to help you during this difficult time. With years of experience you can count on, a trustworthy traffic attorney could be your zealous advocate through evaluating defenses, negotiating with prosecutors, and defending you at trial.
Types of Reckless Driving Charges
In Dinwiddie, Virginia, reckless driving is a misdemeanor encompassing various dangerous behaviors. Excessive speeding is a common offense, defined as driving 20 mph over the speed limit or over 85 mph, regardless of the limit.
Aggressive driving includes actions like tailgating, erratic lane changes, and failing to yield, which are intended to intimidate or harass other drivers. This behavior significantly increases the risk of accidents and can be looked at unfavorably by the court.
DUI-related reckless driving occurs when an individual drives recklessly while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Penalties for reckless driving in Dinwiddie can include hefty fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Understanding these charges is crucial for an effective defense. A knowledgeable Dinwiddie reckless driving lawyer can help safeguard your rights.
Reckless Driving in Virginia
Criminal Consequences
Reckless driving is actually a specific crime that can occur in two situations. If a person either exceeds the posted speed limit by 20 miles per hour or more, or exceeds 85 miles per hour regardless of the posted speed limit, then that person has committed reckless driving. Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which include penalties of up to a year in jail, a 6-month suspension of driving privileges, up to a $2,500 fine, and as many as 6 points on your driving record. The exact sentence you may serve varies from case to case, but it is important to keep in mind the maximum penalties on the line.
Non-Criminal Consequences
In addition to the potential criminal consequences, a criminal conviction for reckless driving poses additional challenges. It may increase a driver’s car insurance rates. It will also appear in your criminal record, which employers and financial institutions often check. This could affect someone’s ability to obtain a loan or new job for the 11 years the conviction would remain on a person’s record.
Mitigation Options
Even if you are unable to prevent a conviction, there are a variety of factors a lawyer could present in order to lessen the severity of your sentence. These may include:
- A good driving record and good references from friends and family
- Taking remedial courses, such as driver education or anger management
- There was an emergency situation
- Being unaware of your vehicle’s defects and repaired them quickly after
Again, not every mitigating factor may apply to every case. It is best to have a lawyer evaluate which mitigating factors may help lessen a defendant’s sentence.
Hire a Dinwiddie Reckless Driving Attorney Today
A reckless driving conviction could negatively impact your life for years to come. Having a Dinwiddie reckless driving lawyer you can trust could be invaluable. With experience you can count on, they could advise you throughout the process, including evaluating possible defenses, negotiating with prosecutors, and defending you at trial. Call today to schedule a consultation for your case.
