Fairfax Reckless Driving Ticket For Out Of State Drivers
Have you visited the state of Virginia and are now stuck with a reckless driving ticket? Did you know it’s not just a mere traffic infraction alone? It is typically not an issue unless you were going exceptionally fast, have a bad record or were alleged to have been driving in an extraordinarily dangerous manner. However, because it is technically a class 1 msidemeanor you are required to appear in court. In Fairfax however, there is a policy where an out of state driver can hire an attorney to appear on their behalf. This means the driver can avoid the nuisance of having to appear in court.
Out-of-state drivers can be charged with a reckless driving offense in Fairfax, Virginia,if they were operating a vehicle in a manner considered as careless. Common examples include speeding, running a stop light, racing across a train track, or passing two parallel vehicles on a regular two-lane roadway. There are at least 20 sub-statutes outlined for reckless driving.
The Penalties
Out-of-state drivers face the same fines as registered residents, and theseinclude one or more of the following:
- Up to $2,500 in fines
- Possible jail time for extraordinarily aggravating circumstances
In terms of license suspension or points reduction, the state of Virginia will regularly report the conviction to your home state (assuming they are one states that participate in the Interstate Compact). Once notified of the ticket it will be up to your home state to determine how to handle the ticket. Most states have written policies on how they handle Virginia convictions. You or your lawyer should be sure that you are familiar with these policies before going to court, as they may have a huge unexpected consequence.
Actions to Take Now
What can you do to build a more favorable outcome?
There are several actions that will help:
- Review The Speedometer Reading – If you were not speeding but were charged with reckless driving, you can have your vehicle’s speedometer calibrated to prove that you were driving within the county’s posted limits.
- Get References – from employers and other credible individuals testifying about your responsible character.
- Driving Record Copies – let an attorney help prove that prior to this one-time incident, you’ve always been a safe and responsible driver. Many times out of state records cannot be obtained by the police. If you have a good driving record it is essential that you get a copy of your driving record if you want that favorable piece of evidence to be considered by the judge.
Having said this, there are other methods that can be discussed with an attorney. Lowered charges typically involve improper driving, which isn’t a criminal offense, and the ticket charge is limited to $500 (although it will typically be substantially lower).
