Virginia Reckless Driving Charge Lawyer

Reckless driving is legally defined as a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of those with whom you share the road or other people’s property. When a driver is charged with reckless driving, it is because they have shown a total disregard for the state’s traffic laws. This disregard may or may not have caused injury to a person or damage to property, but it is not required for the driver to be charged.

Each state has its own laws regarding reckless driving. Some states refer to offenses as careless driving or dangerous driving. Because reckless driving offenses are so serious, they are not cited as traffic offenses; instead, the driver is arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. A conviction means the driver faces up to 12 months in a county jail and up to $2,500 in fines.

If the offense was egregious, the driver could be charged with a felony. For example, if a driver was engaging in a reckless driving offense that resulted in a car crash that injured the other driver, the offending driver cold be charged with a felony. If convicted, the driver could face a minimum of one year in a state prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Some examples of common reckless driving offenses include:

• Driving more than 25 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit
• Passing another vehicle when visibility of oncoming traffic is limited
• Illegal passing
• Tailgating
• Racing another vehicle
• Trying to elude a law enforcement officer

Defenses to Reckless Driving Charges

If a driver has been charged with reckless driving, a reckless driving attorney in Virginia can use defenses to defend the driver. These include:

• Location: If a driver was near a jurisdiction boundary, such as city lines, there could be a question of whether the officer who charged the driver had the authority to do so.
• Road: If the driver’s reckless driving offense took place on a private road or in a gated community, the police officer may not have been able to charge the driver because the road was not a public road or highway.
• Radar Calibration: If a driver is charged with reckless driving for excessive speed, the device the police officer used must have been properly calibrated and functioning on the day the driver was charged. The reckless driving charge lawyer in VA may be able to question whether the device had a valid calibration certificate that adheres to statutory requirements. There may also be a question as to whether the officer used the device correctly.

Contact a Reckless Driving Charge Lawyer in VA for Help Today

If you have been charged with reckless driving, you are not just facing the prospect of paying a fine. You may be facing jail or prison time. A misdemeanor or felony conviction can have a major impact on your future, including where you can work, live, or obtain an education.

At Dave Albo, our legal team can help defend you against reckless driving charges or any other traffic offenses you are facing. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with a reckless driving charge lawyer in VA that clients trust and find out how we can help.