Hillsville Speeding Tickets & Reckless Driving Lawyer
What Is Reckless Driving?
Virginia’s statute can be found in section 46.2-862 of the Regulation of Traffic Code. It defines reckless driving as either of the following:
- Going 20 miles per hour faster than the speed limit
- Going over 80 miles per hour, regardless of the speed limit
Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries some stiff penalties:
- Up to 12 months in jail
- $2,500 fine
- License suspension for up to 6 months
A misdemeanor is also a criminal conviction you will need to disclose whenever you apply for a professional license, job, or apartment. Indeed, the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction are often much more severe than people imagine and can follow you around for the rest of your life.
How Many Demerit Points Do You Pick Up For Speeding?
Demerit points for drivers licensed in Virginia stay on your record for 2 years. Typically, offenses will result in 6, 4, or 3 demerit points being added:
- If you are convicted of going 1-9 miles per hour over the speed limit, then you will get 3 demerit points.
- A conviction for going 10-19 miles per hour over the speed limit garners a driver 4 demerit points.
- If you were convicted of reckless driving, you get 6 points added to your record.
Drivers who accumulate too many demerit points in a short period of time end up having their licenses suspended:
- If you receive 8 points in a year, then the DMV in Hillsville, VA will send you a warning letter.
- If you receive 18 points in a year, or 24 points in a 2-year period, your license will be suspended for 90 days.
Drivers who have had their license suspended must complete a driver safety course before they get their driving privileges back. After reinstatement, a driver is on probation for 6 months and any more points during this period can result in a suspension. For drivers licensed in states other than Virginia, demerit points are assigned using the point system of your home state. For example, a driver licensed in North Carolina who gets convicted in Virginia for speeding 10 miles over the limit would receive license demerit points based upon the North Carolina point system.
How Do You Defend Against Speeding or Reckless Driving Charges?
The defense will depend on the unique circumstances of each case. We try to fully understand the unique circumstances of your case and come up with defenses that match the facts known. For example, the police might not have proof that you were driving the vehicle. If they gave chase and only caught up with you once you were out of the car, you could argue that there is inadequate proof you were behind the wheel. Searching Google for “how to beat a speeding ticket” or “how to beat a reckless driving ticket” won’t be the way to handle your defense. Speak with a trusted traffic attorney for help with your charge.
Should You Pay For An Attorney?
You might not think that a speeding ticket is worth fighting or worth paying an attorney to represent you. Nothing could be farther than the truth. First, consider what happens if your most recent ticket puts you over the top so that your license will be suspended. This could make it that much harder to get to work or to school. You might end up losing thousands of dollars—even lose your job—if you can’t drive. For this alone, it is often sensible to fight a ticket. Next, take any reckless driving charge seriously. Many defendants have gone to jail for half a year after a conviction. Also, realize that a conviction for reckless driving also stays on your record for 11 years. This means you are looking at over a decade of higher insurance premiums, which can easily cost you tens of thousands of dollars more than what you would regularly pay. Unfortunately, some drivers think that the prosecutor will take things easy on them because this is their first offense. But the prosecutor is not required to cut you a deal. Instead, you need an experienced lawyer who can make a compelling case for why your ticket should be dismissed or reduced.
Speak To A Hillsville Traffic Attorney Today
Traffic tickets are no laughing matter. The best defense is a good offense, but you need a lawyer by your side who understands how to fight these charges the correct way. For help with speeding tickets or reckless driving in Carroll County, contact our law firm. Our team has represented many people just like you. Although we can’t guarantee a favorable outcome, we have extensive experience helping to defeat or plead down traffic violations. To schedule a free consultation, please contact us as soon as possible. CONTACT OUR FIRM