Many people who receive reckless driving tickets do not realize that it is considered a criminal offense and is taken far more seriously than most traffic infractions. Convictions result in a criminal record, which can affect employment, housing and background checks.
A criminal record can also impact your insurance rates and some companies may even cancel your policy. A professional lawyer can help you mitigate the effects of a conviction.
Fines
A judge can impose a fine on a driver found guilty of reckless driving in Virginia. The fines for this type of offense can vary significantly. It depends on the circumstances, your previous record, local court policy and more. A legal professional can advocate on your behalf for a reduced penalty.
In some cases, this offense is classified as a class 1 misdemeanor or even a felony. This is not a crime to be taken lightly, as it will appear on your criminal record and can impact your ability to get certain jobs or even qualify for military service.
The charges also have serious repercussions for your insurance rates. You should always consult with a Roanoke reckless driving attorney right away after receiving a ticket to help you fight these charges and protect your future.
License Suspension
If a judge finds you guilty of reckless driving in Virginia, he or she may suspend your license for a period of time. You will also likely have to enroll in a state driver improvement program, pay court fees, and submit an SR-22 form. You will need an experienced Roanoke reckless driving attorney to fight the ticket on your behalf to avoid these penalties.
Unlike regular speeding tickets, the consequences of reckless driving in Virginia conviction will result in your criminal record being permanently marked as a felony. This can negatively impact employment, background checks, housing, and more.
As such, it is important to never just pay the Reckless Driving “ticket” before your court date and hope for the best. Instead, you should always contact an experienced Virginia traffic lawyer immediately and fight the ticket in court. An experienced VA reckless driving attorney can often get the charge reduced to a traffic infraction and avoid the criminal consequences of a conviction.
Jail Time
In Virginia, reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor criminal offense. It can carry jail time, as well as a criminal record that is both permanent and publicly available. This is in stark contrast to traffic infractions, such as speeding or running a stop sign, which can be paid ahead of time and have minor impacts on a person’s driving record.
For this reason, a person should take the potential penalties of a reckless driving conviction seriously and speak to an experienced lawyer. A legal professional may be able to convince a prosecutor or judge to reduce the charge and penalties, based on factors such as a clean driving record, taking a driver improvement course, or performing community service. In addition, an attorney can explain how the charge could impact a person if they are asked about criminal convictions on job or security clearance applications, life insurance applications, etc., as most states have entered into the Interstate Driver License Compact and share information about convictions.
Criminal Record
A conviction of reckless driving in Virginia can result in a criminal record. This can impact employment, security clearances, and your ability to rent vehicles and receive certain government contracts. In addition, it can impact your insurance premiums.
The judge can also impose other penalties for a reckless driving case, including a fine up to $2,500. It can also result in a suspension of your driver’s license for up to six months. The DMV may impose six demerit points on your record as well, which can lead to increased auto insurance rates.
It is important that you fight a reckless driving “ticket” in court rather than simply paying it. You are pleading guilty to a Class 1 Misdemeanor crime when you do this, so it is vital that you appear in court with an experienced attorney to defend yourself.
