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If you received a reckless driving charge in Prince William County, you may be wondering how severe this offense is and what could happen next. Our Prince William County, VA reckless driving lawyer has defended people against traffic and criminal charges in Virginia for 38 years. David B. Albohas handled reckless driving cases in Prince William General District Court, so he understands how local judges and prosecutors approach these charges. Free consultations are available if you would like to contact us now to reserve a consultation.
David B. Albo has been licensed to practice in Virginia since 1988, which is over 38 years defending clients across Northern Virginia. As a criminal defense lawyer in Prince William, VA, he has handled everything from straightforward reckless by speed cases to more complex charges involving accidents or injury. He earned his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1988 and his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Virginia in 1984.
Before returning to private practice full time, Mr. Albo served 24 years as an elected member of the Virginia House of Delegates. For 12 of those years, he chaired the Courts of Justice Committee, which is a committee responsible for writing Virginia’s criminal and civil laws.
Washingtonian Magazine has recognized Mr. Albo as a Top Attorney six times and inducted him into its Lawyer Hall of Fame. Virginia Business Magazine has named him “Legal Elite,” and Northern Virginia Magazine has listed him among the area’s top lawyers five times. Virginia Lawyers Weekly awarded him the statewide “Leader In The Law” designation.
Attorney Dave has helped clients facing reckless driving charges recover meaningful outcomes.
Reckless driving cases are typically handled on a flat fee. You know the cost going in, so there are no hourly billing surprises and no uncertainty about what representation will cost you. By using a flat-fee structure, our clients won’t have to worry about mounting cases as they are already dealing with the stress of a criminal charge.
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“Retaining the services of Mr. Albo for traffic court was probably the best decision I made. He is very responsive to emails, knowledgeable, and punctual. He provided excellent advice that eased the panic of having to go to the court house and stand before a judge. I am very happy with the outcome of my visit to traffic court and highly recommend Dave Albo.” – Amanda Stallard
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Virginia has over a dozen separate statutes that can result in a reckless driving charge. We handle the full range of reckless driving charges in Prince William County, including the following.
Virginia treats reckless driving very differently than most states treat speeding. Under Virginia Code § 46.2-868, reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This means it carries the same classification as many other criminal charges, not a simple traffic infraction.
The primary speed-based trigger is found in Virginia Code § 46.2-862, where a driver is guilty of reckless driving if they exceed the speed limit by 20 mph or more, or drive faster than 85 mph regardless of the posted limit. On Interstate 95 or Route 1 in Prince William County, both of which run through heavily trafficked areas.
A conviction of reckless driving carries up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, six DMV demerit points under Virginia Code § 46.2-492, and a potential license suspension of up to six months under Virginia Code § 46.2-393. Those demerit points stay on your DMV record for 11 years. Insurance carriers can view this offense, and employers who run background checks see the criminal conviction.
Virginia’s general reckless driving rule, § 46.2-852, also makes it unlawful to drive “in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person,” regardless of speed. This catch-all provision gives prosecutors flexibility that defendants often underestimate.
The Prince William County General District Court handles most reckless driving cases at the misdemeanor level. Understanding how Prince William court operates, including its continuance policies, discovery procedures, and how judges handle these charges, is influential for how we approach your defense.
A conviction for reckless driving in Virginia creates a permanent criminal record, and this is the aspect most people don’t realize until it’s too late. You will need to disclose this conviction on job applications, professional license renewals, and background check forms. Security clearances, which can be a factor for a significant portion of the workforce in Northern Virginia, can be jeopardized.
Law enforcement in Prince William County uses radar and LIDAR devices to calculate speed. These tools can be challenged using calibration records, officer training documentation, and the angle at which the device was used. In some cases, the reading itself can be contested due to radar accuracy issues. A reckless driving charge that drops below 80 mph and under 20 mph over the limit changes the entire legal picture, shifting from a misdemeanor to a traffic infraction.
One of the most important tools in a reckless driving defense is Virginia Code § 46.2-869, which allows a court to reduce a reckless driving charge to “improper driving”, which is a traffic infraction and not a criminal offense. This charge carries no jail time, no criminal record, and only three DMV demerit points rather than six. Whether a reduction is available depends on the facts, your driving history, and how the case is presented. Reducing a reckless charge is one of our primary objectives in most of these cases.
Courts respond well to defendants who take the charge seriously before their court date. Completing a driver improvement course, obtaining a calibrated speedometer certificate, and demonstrating a clean driving history all carry weight in Prince William General District Court. We advise clients on what preparation is worth doing and what isn’t, based on the specific facts and the judge assigned to the case. Knowing what to do before your hearing can meaningfully affect the result.
Most reckless driving charges in Virginia are Class 1 misdemeanors. But certain aggravating factors can elevate the charge significantly. If a driver commits reckless driving while their license is suspended or revoked and someone dies as a result, the charge becomes a felony under § 46.2-868(B). This is not a common scenario, but it illustrates why the classification of reckless driving matters. Virginia takes these charges seriously at every level.
A reckless driving charge in Prince William County is a criminal circumstance. The sooner you have counsel reviewing the specifics of your situation, the more options you’re likely to have. We offer free consultations and handle most reckless driving cases on a flat fee. We can review what happened, explain what you’re facing under Virginia law, and outline the realistic paths forward for your case. Contact us to schedule your consultation.
