Do I Even Need a Lawyer for my Fairfax Reckless Driving Ticket?
While many people often initially mistake a reckless driving ticket in Fairfax as a simple speeding ticket, once they receive a barrage of letters from attorneys they quickly realize that it is something far more serious–one is required to appear in court, as opposed to simply paying the ticket through the mail. As several variables impact whether hiring legal counsel makes sense, use this page as a guide in determining whether a Fairfax reckless driving lawyer is appropriate for the specific case at hand.
1) Were you ticketed for driving more than 85 miles per hour?
As one’s driving record and the facts of the Virginia reckless driving case makes every circumstance different, but there is a strong possibility a person will have their license suspended if they were ticketed for traveling 85 mph or above.
2) Were you ticketed for driving over 90 miles per hour?
If a motorist was ticketed for reckless driving in Fairfax and was traveling over 90 mph, there is a distinct likelihood that the individual will be sentenced to serve time in jail.
3) Do you think your insurance will increase by more than $1,000?
All automobile insurance companies are different and many have varying policies as to how a reckless driving conviction will impact the driver’s premium. Those charged with this motor vehicle violation should contact their insurance company to determine whether or not the hike in pricing makes calling a Virginia defense attorney worth it.
4) Do you have a bad driving record?
One’s previous driving history is something that Fairfax judges take very seriously when determining an appropriate punishment for reckless driving offenders in Virginia. Those with clean driving records are more likely to receive a lenient sentence than those who have several tickets. Likewise, if the accused motorist is already on probation with the DMV at the time of their reckless driving infraction, the consequences are significant. To give oneself the best edge, take every action necessary to clean up a bad driving record before appearing in court.
5) Are you worried about your security clearance?
Reckless driving in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor with the same criminal classification as shoplifting or assault. While a conviction doesn’t automatically mean that an offender will lose their security clearance, but it is a possibility.
6) Do you drive for a living?
Those who rely on driving for work, such as salesmen, truck drivers, or others who have company cars, are most often required to maintain good driving records. If the motorist’s company provides insurance for the vehicle, the employee may face consequences if convicted of serious motor vehicle violations, such as reckless driving.
7) Do you live out of state or otherwise are unable to come to court?
According to law, Fairfax reckless driving tickets require the motorist to appear in court and fines cannot be prepaid. As not all those ticketed for reckless driving in Virginia are residents of the Commonwealth, this can present some seriously inconvenient problems. Our experienced Fairfax defense lawyers are often able to appear in court on behalf of out-of-state clients and resolve cases for them.
Free Virginia Reckless Driving Consultation
While this list encompasses several points for consideration, it is by no means a full list. As the circumstances (and the outcome) for every Virginia reckless driving case is different, the accused motorist owes it to themselves to learn all the facts about their violation. The skilled Fairfax defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Faraji Rosenthall always offer free consultations that allow one the opportunity to get their questions answered. During the course of our conversation, our legal team will be able to tell a client how much it will cost to handle their case as well as some possible outcomes. By maintaining and honest and transparent demeanor, our Virginia criminal lawyers can make a client’s defense a top priority.
