Fairfax Traffic Lawyer

Have you been charged with reckless driving or another traffic charge in Northern Virginia? If so a Fairfax traffic lawyer can help you understand the nature of the charge and fight aggressively to get it dismissed or reduced to a traffic infraction. Call today and schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney.

Working with a Fairfax Traffic Attorney

Getting a traffic ticket is something that almost every driver will face in his or her lifetime. Typically, a driver had no intention of breaking any traffic laws before he or she was pulled over. Simple inattention or distraction can cause a person to miss a traffic sign, drift above the speed limit, or perform some other traffic violation.

Because of Virginia’s tough driving laws, what might result in a simple traffic ticket in another state may lead to a criminal charge for drivers pulled over in Fairfax.  It is crucial that one consults with a Fairfax traffic lawyer immediately after their incident to fully understand the charges brought against them.

If you are stopped and issued a citation or summons for a traffic violation, it is important to understand exactly what the allegation is. If the citation accuses you of reckless driving, understand that you have been charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries the possibility of jail time and the record of a criminal conviction.

A Fairfax traffic lawyer can help you fight a reckless driving charge or challenge an unfair ticket. Your attorney may also be able to appear in court on your behalf, saving you time and money. This is particularly helpful to out-of-state drivers snared by the strict traffic laws in Virginia.

What are the Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties?

Reckless driving is more than just a minor traffic ticket. A traffic lawyer in Fairfax can tell you that it is a 6-point violation that remains on your driving record for up to 11 years. It is also a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and a six month license suspension in Virginia

What Driving Actions Can Result In a Reckless Driving Charge?

In Virginia Code Section 46.2-852, reckless driving is defined generally as driving in any manner that puts a person or property at risk of harm. This is a very vague and general statute that allows for subjective determination of whether driving is “reckless.”

The Virginia Code also specifically identifies certain actions as reckless driving:

• Driving with faulty brakes
• Driving with an obstructed view
• Improper passing
• Passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children
• Failure to signal
• Speeding

Reckless driving by speed typically occurs if a driver is traveling 20 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit. It may also be charged if a driver exceeds 80 miles per hour, regardless of what the posted speed limit is. Finally, Virginia allows a person to be charged with reckless driving if he or she is driving “too fast for conditions,” another subjective interpretation of one’s driving behavior.

Reckless Driving and Traffic Representation in Fairfax, Virginia

A Fairfax traffic lawyer can help you challenge a traffic ticket and fight against a reckless driving charge. Your attorney may be able to get the ticket or charge dismissed, to reduce the charge to a traffic infraction of “improper driving,” or to negotiate sentencing that can keep you out of jail. Call today to schedule your risk-free consultation with a traffic defense attorney in Fairfax County.