Richmond Speeding Tickets for Out-of-State Drivers
Richmond does treat speeding tickets differently than other jurisdictions, primarily due to its vicinity. Richmond is located along what are called highway safety corridors. That means that there are a number of areas in Richmond that are maintained and monitored by the state police for purposes of safety. These highway safety corridors also carry an enhanced fine for speeding. If you are convicted of speeding in one of these safety corridors, you will receive a higher fine than you would on a normal road. In addition, judges in the City of Richmond are often very harsh in imposing penalties and fines on speeding tickets. All that being said, the prosecutors will typically negotiate with Richmond speeding ticket lawyers, which allows us to negotiate for a reduction or dismissal of your case.
If an Out-of-State Driver Receives a Richmond Speeding Ticket
If an out-of-state driver receives a speeding ticket in Richmond, one of the first things that he or she should do is contact local Richmond speeding ticket counsel. You’re going to want to speak with an attorney who understands the policies and procedures in the City of Richmond. You’re also going to want an attorney who knows how to speak with prosecutors, knows what the judges want to hear, and what the judges are looking for in your type of case.
Richmond, along with most jurisdictions in Virginia, does transfer information about out-of-state convictions to your home state. That’s quite common, no matter what state you are in. If you are convicted in the City of Richmond, the information will be passed along to whatever state you live in.
Failing to to Pay Ticket
If you are an out-of-state driver and you do not pay the ticket by the due date, the court will find you guilty in your absence. This will result in a conviction on your driving record and a fine. It will also result in points against your license, which are transferrable to your state.
How a Richmond Speeding Lawyer Can Help Contest Ticket
If you wish to dispute a ticket in Richmond, a speeding ticket attorney is not only going to raise questions of potential issues with your speedometer and/or with the device that the officer used to determine your speed in court, but will also attempt to negotiate a settlement with the prosecutor as a final resolution.
Ignorance as a Defense
Unfortunately, ignorance of the law is not a defense. Prosecutors do not need to show that you intended to speed. All they have to show is that you were in fact speeding. While you may not have known the speed in question, if the officers can prove that you were speeding, you will be convicted in the City of Richmond whether you knew the speed or not.
What to Remember About Speeding in Richmond
The main thing every out-of-state driver should know is just how serious speeding tickets are in Richmond. Not only do they come with high fines, but they also come with significant points that can affect your driving record and insurance. In addition, the judges in Richmond can be very strict. All that being said, it’s also important to know that if you receive a ticket like this, the courts in can be worked with, and a local speeding ticket lawyer in Richmond can attempt to negotiate an agreement with the prosecutors and/or the courts to get your matter reduced or dismissed.