Reckless Driving By Speed in Richmond
Reckless driving by speed in Richmond, Virginia is a violation that means you were either going 20 miles or more over the speed limit or going over 80. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 70 an hour zone or 65 mile an hour zone, if you are going over 80 in Virginia it is considered reckless driving.
If you are charged with reckless driving by speed it is important you get in contact with a Richmond reckless driving lawyer as you are facing a criminal misdemeanor and not a simple speeding violation. Read on to learn more about reckless driving by speed charges before calling and scheduling a consultation with an attorney to discuss your case.
Are There Ever Any Legal Excuses For Driving At Those Speeds?
The only legal excuse that is recognized by the courts and by statute is a medical emergency or emergency involving the life of someone. For instance, if your significant other is giving birth or someone is significantly injured and you’re trying to get them to the hospital that could validate the high speed.
Is Reckless Driving By Speed Considered A Less Severe Form of Reckless Driving?
No, reckless driving by speed is the same as all other reckless driving in the state of Virginia and in fact is sometimes treated more harshly. All reckless driving charges carry the same possible penalties and if it’s an aggravated speed, which would be considered anything over 90 miles an hour, or something 30 miles over the speed limit there is the significant possibility of an active jail sentence and a significant license suspension.
Why Should You Hire An Attorney For a Reckless Driving By Speed Offense?
The main reason to hire a lawyer on a reckless driving by speed charge is because of possible penalties you could receive in Virginia. Reckless driving in Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor. It’s punishable by up to 12 months in jail, up to a six-month loss of license and up to a $2500 fine. In addition to that, it comes with six DMV demerit points. So not only is there the criminal penalties but there’s also the points that will be assessed to your driving record, which will impact your insurance.
Is There Anything Different About How This Kind Of Reckless Driving Is Dealt With In Court?
Reckless driving by speed can be handled very tough in court. If the speed is aggravated; in other words, if the speed is over 90 miles an hour, or the speed endangers other drives or if there are children in the vehicle you’re driving, the courts are known to impose significant jail sentences. In addition to that, there are significant license suspensions. So what you need is an attorney that has the ability to negotiate with prosecutors, while also having the knowledge of the judges and the courts, not only in how to present a case, but also in terms of how to present mitigating factors to avoid these harsh punishments.