Traffic Lawyer Fairfax, VA

Traffic Lawyer Fairfax, VA

Never underestimate the potential impact of a traffic ticket; without the help of a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Virginia residents can trust, you may be facing serious penalties. Most people don’t even realize the extent of these consequences until it’s too late. For example, you might have your driving license suspended in addition to being responsible for paying fines. In some cases, you might even be facing jail time. Your insurance coverage could even be terminated or be subject to much higher rates after you’ve been convicted for a traffic offense.

Unfortunately, too many people have the impression that traffic tickets and similar charges are minor issues that don’t require the insight of a lawyer. Thinking this way can be a big mistake. Some of the most serious offenses that should prompt you to contact a traffic lawyer Fairfax VA is proud to have representing those who have been accused include:

• Driving on a suspended license
• Driving while intoxicated, and
• Reckless driving.

A Fairfax traffic lawyer can help.

Traffic Court

Many traffic offenses mandate an in-person appearance by the person who has been charged. Most of the time, an attorney can attend this on your behalf, but this will depend on the charges you’re facing. Having a traffic lawyer Fairfax VA community members have relied on for years can help you determine how to optimally defend yourself.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in a traffic case is the assumption that it’s best to simply pay the fine, admit guilt, and put the matter behind you. Most people don’t realize there are major consequences for doing this including indicating that you accept guilt. Paying the fine might seem like the easy thing to do, but your insurance company can use that admitted guilt to raise your rates. Rack up too many of these tickets and you’re looking at more serious consequences.

Another mistake people often make without the help of a traffic lawyer Fairfax VA relies on is assuming that there’s nothing you can do to fight the charges. It’s one of the most common reasons that people simply accept the citation or ticket, make the payment, and then forget about it. They assume it’s a foregone conclusion that you’re guilty and that you now have to deal with all the penalties associated with that admitted guilt. That’s simply not true, however. There are many reasons that you may want to fight a ticket and there are more avenues to do this than most people think. As but two examples; officers don’t always follow procedures and speed guns are not always properly calibrated.

Finding the right traffic lawyer Fairfax VA ticket recipients have entrusted for years can help you. He or she can help you determine all your options to fight the ticket. You should never assume you’re guilty just because you got a ticket.

Do I need a Traffic lawyer for Traffic Court?

I’m a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va. turns to. Everyday I get a call from a person who got a traffic ticket. I always say, “Tell me about your situation, because you may not need a traffic lawyer.” This is because Traffic Court can hear cases about little inconsequential matters such as a lack of an inspection sticker (where all the Judge can do is fine you, and they usually dismiss it if you get it done prior to court) to some DUIs with mandatory jail sentences. The unhelpful lawyerly answer to the question is, “It depends.”

Note: Our lawyers practice in Fairfax, and all other counties of Virginia. We have offices in Fairfax, Arlington, and Staunton. We reference Fairfax, Va. in this article because it is the largest jurisdiction in Virginia with the most rigid procedures. Work done to Fairfax standards meets or exceeds the standards in every other jurisdiction in the Commonwealth, so it is common to use it as a benchmark.

A traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va will first ask you what type of charge you have and what your driving record is like. With these two pieces of critical information, an experienced traffic lawyer can tell you if you need an attorney or not.

Traffic Crimes Versus Traffic Infractions

If your offense is a traffic crime, then you should hire a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va.

If you have been charged with a traffic crime, you should hire a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va. Common traffic crimes include, DUI, Reckless Driving, Driving on a Suspended License, Hit & Run, and No Operators License. These could result in jail and some of them, if convicted, will be put on your permanent criminal record.

If your offense is a traffic infraction, then you may or may not need a traffic lawyer Fairfax Va.

The non-criminal traffic charges are known as “traffic infractions.” The maximum punishment for a traffic infraction is usually $250. (There are some add-on financial penalties, such as Speeding in a Highway Safety Corridor, so look at your code section in the Virginia Code to see what the maximum punishment is).

So, as you can tell above, most people will not want to hire a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va for a legal fee of $1,500 or more when the maximum punishment for a traffic infraction cannot be any higher than $250. There are other considerations, though. If your driving record is bad, while the Court cannot suspend your license for a traffic infraction, the DMV may do so if you have accumulated too many points. You can look on the DMV website to determine if the DMV will suspend your license.

Also, many people ask me, “What will my insurance do?” That is not a legal question. That is an insurance question. I suggest that you contact your insurance agent and he/she can tell you if your rates will go up. Every insurance company has a different policy concerning points and infractions.

In summary, if your charge is just a traffic infraction, you may not want to pay for a traffic lawyer unless your driving record is bad. If it is bad, you may need to challenge that traffic infraction, and to do so you would be better off hiring a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va. Finally, if your charge is a criminal charge, such as DUI, Reckless, Driving on Suspended, Driving Without a License, you should hire a traffic lawyer Fairfax, Va. Our web site has other articles on these criminal traffic offenses for which a traffic lawyer Fairfax Va community members trust is needed.

Call a Distracted Driving Lawyer in Fairfax VA If You Have Been Charged with Speeding

In every state, speeding above the posted limit can be grounds for a traffic ticket. However, in Virginia, speeding could be ticketed as reckless driving. In this case, your actions will be more than a traffic violation and rather a misdemeanor (or possibly a felony). A misdemeanor is a criminal offense and requires you to appear before a judge and plea guilty or not guilty. A charge like this can have devastating consequences that last for many years to come. It should be taken very seriously. What is important to understand right now is that it is often possible to fight these charges with the assistance of a traffic lawyer in Fairfax Virginia.

If you have been charged with reckless driving, Dave Albo – Attorney may help protect your driving record, prevent you from getting a larger insurance hike, and safeguard your personal criminal record. Regardless of what happened, we encourage you to call a Fairfax VA traffic lawyer from our firm for a complimentary case review.

Reckless Driving for Speeding Could Result in Time in Jail

Reckless driving charges are usually a misdemeanor. You can be charged with the crime if you are speeding above a certain amount beyond the speed limit. This speed varies by state with reckless driving laws. For example, in Virginia, reckless driving is anything beyond 20 mph of the posted speed limit or anything above 80 mph.

Depending on how fast you were going, it is possible to be sent to jail. If any mitigating factors exist, such as an accident resulted because of your speed, you may be charged with a felony. Lengthy incarceration is possible.

With the help of a good traffic lawyer, the consequences might be minimized. Our firm represents drivers throughout the Fairfax, VA area. We understand how to reduce their exposure and minimize any possible penalties that could result from a reckless driving charge. In previous cases, our traffic lawyers have successfully reduced the charge to a less serious traffic offense. Not only does this reduce the penalties, but also stops the driver from getting a permanent criminal record.

Who Can Benefit from Having a Traffic Lawyer in Fairfax VA

We believe that anyone who has been charged with reckless driving can benefit from having a traffic lawyer. However, there are certain drivers who may especially want to consider legal advocacy, including:

• Government employees
• Government contractors
• College students
• Professional drivers
• Pilots
• Medical doctors
• Anyone who is seeking a green card or U.S. citizenship

Who Can Benefit From Having A Traffic Lawyer Infographic

What are common traffic violations? 

Some of the most common traffic violations that many people are charged with include speeding and improper turns, as a traffic lawyer Fairfax, VA residents trust can explain. Excessive speeding is common for a number of reasons. Many people become impatient when they run into traffic, such as on freeways or crowded streets. Others simply disregard traffic laws and commit speeding violations because they enjoy driving fast, even though it endangers many people around them. Improper turns are another common violation. Drivers often commit improper turns because they are in a rush to get to their destination, they are not aware of traffic laws, or they fail to see traffic signs. 

How can a lawyer help me?

There are several things that a lawyer can do if you are charged with a traffic violation. One of the first things they can do for you is provide an in-depth case assessment. They will speak with you to see if you have a valid case and gather the facts. The traffic lawyer can explain your rights and possible options. Once they determine you have a valid case, they will evaluate the evidence against you. Based on what you are charged with, they will decide the legal strategies to formulate your defense. Throughout your case, you can count on the lawyer to give you ongoing legal support and advice. 

What if I’m an out of state driver? 

You may feel anxious if you are an out of state driver who committed a traffic violation. As a Fairfax traffic lawyer can tell you, if you get a traffic ticket, the state of Virginia will notify your home state of the ticket and you must take action to address the ticket. Failure to respond to the ticket can result in fines or the loss of your driver’s license. If you have received a ticket as an out of state driver, you need to find out what exactly you are charged with. These tickets are slightly more complex, so it is recommended that you seek advice from a lawyer. 

What evidence will be reviewed in my case? 

A number of pieces of evidence will be reviewed to determine how your defense can be built, such as dash-cam video and witnesses who were present at the time of the violation. For example, in a speeding case a key type of evidence are the speedometer results. The traffic lawyer will investigate to see if the result is accurate. There are cases when the speedometer is malfunctioning or it has captured the speed of a vehicle ahead of you. If the lawyer finds any evidence that can be contested, they will prepare an argument that addresses any issues or weaknesses in the evidence. 

What defenses will a traffic lawyer consider?

The strategies that a traffic lawyer will use for a client varies greatly. There are several factors to consider, such as the type of violation, the charge classification (such as misdemeanor or infraction), and whether it is the client’s first offense or not. For instance, a lawyer working on a first-time speeding violation may focus on that client’s lack of intent to break the law. The court will take into account all of these factors when they are reviewing the consequences of a conviction, so a Fairfax traffic lawyer will aim to build the best possible defense using the most sensible strategies for your case.

Have You Been Charged with Reckless Driving? Call Dave Albo – Attorney

A reckless driving charge is not the same as a standard traffic violation. You cannot mail in the fines and consider it to be “over and done with”. You will be summoned to court and could face unwanted penalties if you are found guilty. A reckless driving lawyer can be your voice and legal advocate. If you would like legal representation for reckless driving, and you should, please call a traffic lawyer Fairfax VA clients turn to from Dave Albo – Attorney now.