Reckless Driving in Virginia is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. That term doesn’t mean much to most people, but that puts reckless driving in the same class of offenses as DUI/DWI, shoplifting, and assault.
What’s more, many activities fall under the umbrella of reckless driving. We have probably all done something that was considered an act of reckless driving at some point in our lives. Nevertheless, safety on our Virginia roadways is a matter of public concern, which is why the penalties can be so severe.
Much is at the discretion of the court, the prosecuting attorney, and the circumstances that led to the arrest. Your attorney will carefully weigh the options and decide how to proceed. The penalties for reckless driving can include jail time, a fine of up to $2,500, up to six demerits lost on your license, and/or the loss of your license entirely. The court can sentence you to any or all of these penalties.
The effects will carry over into your daily life, as well. Even if you do not do jail time, the loss of license or the demerits will likely require that you undergo remedial education (depending on the exact nature of your crime).
Some states also have reciprocity agreements with Virginia, which means that the reckless driving conviction in Virginia will show up in your record in other states, and vice versa.
A reckless driving conviction, like any criminal conviction, will come up every time someone runs a criminal background check on you, which can result in some awkward explanations when you apply to rent an apartment or to get security clearance.
With all these consequences, you can see how important it is that you have an experienced attorney that is thoroughly conversant with both reckless driving case law, but also with the officers of the court in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. If there is any chance of avoiding conviction or of at least reducing the sentence, you should pursue it aggressively.
At Faraji Rosenthall Law Offices, we are very familiar with reckless driving cases and have represented many clients with these charges, helping them to navigate the legal system and get them the best possible outcome. If you are facing reckless driving charges, call or visit our offices. We offer a free consultation to review your file and help you examine your options.
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