Prince William County, VA Reckless Driving Lawyer
Reckless driving and related charges such as negligent driving, aggressive driving, fleeing and eluding police and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are treated as serious offenses in Prince William County, and result in a misdemeanor along with fines or even jail time in case of conviction. In order to protect your reputation, freedom and driving privileges, your best course of action is to hire an experienced Prince William County reckless driving lawyer: Dua Law Firm. We will use every available resource to build a strong case and improve your chances of receiving a favorable outcome in your upcoming court date.
What is Reckless Driving in Prince William County, VA?
Reckless driving is not just a speeding ticket. It is a criminal offense, specifically a class 1 misdemeanor in the same criminal classification as a DUI/DWI/DWI charge. A conviction or guilty plea can impact insurance premiums, your job, security clearances, and other sensitive matters affecting government contractors, military and law enforcement personnel, and a wide variety of professions. The penalty parameters for Reckless driving include:
- Up to one year in jail;
- A suspension of your driving privileges; and/or
- Up to $2,500 in fines.
Are there points associated with Reckless driving?
Yes. If you are convicted or plead guilty to Reckless driving, then you will be assessed six (6) demerit points by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and the conviction will stay on yoru driving record for eleven (11) years.
Do I need a Lawyer for a Reckless Driving Ticket?
Every case is different. In some cases, a lawyer is strongly recommended, in others, probably not. That is why we offer a free consultation to help you decide whether you need a lawyer.
Other types of reckless driving in Virginia are:
- 46.2-853 – Driving vehicle which is not under control; faulty brakes.
- 46.2-854 – Passing on or at the crest of a grade or on a curve.
- 46.2-855 – Driving with driver’s view obstructed or control impaired.
- 46.2-856 – Passing two vehicles abreast.
- 46.2-857 – Driving two abreast in a single lane.
- 46.2-858 – Passing at a railroad grade crossing.
- 46.2-859 – Passing a stop school bus; prima facie evidence.
- 46.2-860 – Failing to give proper signals.
- 46.2-861 – Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions.
- 46.2-863 – Failure to yield right-of-way.
- 46.2-864 –Reckless driving on parking lots, etc.
- 46.2-865 – Racing
- 46.2-865.1 – Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race.
- 46.2-866 – Racing; aiders or abettors.
- 46.2-867 – Racing; seizure of motor vehicle.
- 46.2-868.1 – Aggressive driving.
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10 FAQs Regarding Reckless Driving
Short answer: No.
It depends. It depends on the speed you were charged, your driving behavior, your driving history record and a number of other factors.
Short answer: In most countries, if you are speeding above 90 mph, you are at risk of a jail sentence. But each case is different and that is why we recommend that you contact a lawyer. An experienced traffic defense lawyer, who handles hundreds of cases a year, will most likely provide a free consultation and give you an accurate assessment of your case.
In some cases, it would be helpful to take a driver improvement course. It can convince a prosecutor and/or judge that you are willing to be accountable for your actions and drive more safely in the future. Taking a course will reduce the number of points on your record by offsetting them with positive points. We can help you decide if this is worth your time and money to take a class.
It depends on a number of factors and defenses, such as, can the officer prove you were traveling at the alleged speed or in the manner accused. You are welcome to call so that we can assess your case.
Again, it depends on the facts of your case, but it can be done – and has been done often – with the appropriate facts. Call us for a free evaluation of your case and the likelihood of a reduction of your Reckless charge to just an infraction.
No. If you are convicted of reckless driving the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will deduct six (6) points off of your record. The traffic court Judges do not deal with the points, only the charges.
We represent many clients who are just passing through Northern Virginia and are cited for reckless driving or other speeding violations. The Dua Law Firm has successfully represented out-of-state residents without their presence in court. Typically, we can file a motion with the court to excuse your appearance or have you complete a Power of Attorney form. To learn more about what to do if you are charged with reckless driving and are not a Virginia resident, read this in-depth legal blog.
If you are ticketed for reckless driving on a Fairfax road or highway like Interstate 66, Interstate 95, Fairfax County Parkway, etc., you will likely be charged with one of two common forms of reckless driving: (i) speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and (ii) operating your vehicle in a manner that endangers others. The specific laws are as follows:
VIRGINIA CODE § 46.2-862. A PERSON SHALL BE GUILTY OF RECKLESS DRIVING WHO DRIVES A MOTOR VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAYS IN THE COMMONWEALTH (I) AT A SPEED OF TWENTY MILES PER HOUR OR MORE IN EXCESS OF THE APPLICABLE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OR (II) IN EXCESS OF EIGHTY MILES PER HOUR REGARDLESS OF THE APPLICABLE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT.
VIRGINIA CODE § 46.2-852. RECKLESS DRIVING; GENERAL RULE – IRRESPECTIVE OF THE MAXIMUM SPEEDS PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY PERSON WHO DRIVES A VEHICLE ON ANY HIGHWAY RECKLESSLY OR AT A SPEED OR IN A MANNER SO AS TO ENDANGER THE LIFE, LIMB, OR PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON SHALL BE GUILTY OF RECKLESS DRIVING.
Short answer: It depends. There are important nuances when it comes to criminal convictions and immigration law, so it is imperative you take action and contact an experienced reckless driving defense attorney to assess your status and the potential consequences.
How We Can Help
If you’ve been charged with Reckless driving, driving under the influence or a related crime in Prince William County, you owe it to yourself to hire the best legal defense available. As qualified, experienced Prince William County reckless driving lawyer, we will look at the specific details of your case in order to build a strong defense, giving you the best possible chance of receiving a favorable outcome in court — one that ideally involves the lowering or even total dismissal of your charges.
Call Raj Dua at (703) 382-7300 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
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We know how important it is to get an attorney on the case right away, so we are available via phone and e-mail 24/7 and offer a free initial consultation. Please do not hesitate to contact us today.
See How Happy Our Customers Are!
“I have never needed a lawyer before and did not know what to expect. Raj was able to answer all of my questions and explain to me what to expect and how he intended to help. He responded to e-mails promptly and was efficient and friendly throughout our interactions. He kept me up to speed with everything and was able to effectively execute his plan. I would definitely recommend him to anyone requiring representation and would work with him again if it was required.”
“Raj did a phenomenal job with my reckless driving case… After doing my research, reading all the reviews, talking to couple of other lawyers, I decided to go with Raj. and I am so so so thankful I did. Not only he is professional and knows what he is doing, he is a very kind human being which I did not sense when talking to other lawyers. He works his best to get you the best outcome. He constantly assures you and calms you that it will be okay and keeps you posted throughout the process. Not to mention he is reasonably affordable compared to other lawyers who has half the experience Raj has, and he is reachable by cellphone, he also returns calls and emails in a swift manner, so you don’t have to talk to assistants and secretaries. Communication with him was very easy.”
“Raj is a fantastic lawyer with excellent customer service skills (a rare mix for lawyers in my experience). He was very knowledgeable, personable, efficient, and professional. I was very at ease with my decision to retain his services. Throughout my time working with him, he was always courteous and was very efficient with his and my time. In the end, Raj achieved the result I wanted despite very difficult odds. I strongly recommend Raj’s services!”