Brunswick Reckless Driving Penalties 

Reckless driving is a serious crime with serious consequences. Reckless driving carries the same penalties as a DUI, or as larceny. When facing reckless driving charges, finding a capable lawyer is vital. A knowledgeable attorney will know how to best build your case. If you face Brunswick reckless driving penalties, seek the assistance of a qualified reckless driving lawyer who can make your case.

Reckless Driving Charges in Brunswick

Reckless driving in Virginia is anything more than 20 miles over the speed limit or anything more than 80 miles an hour. An individual can be charged with reckless driving if they are driving more than 20 miles over the speed limit, if they are involved in an accident a single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accident and found to be at fault by law enforcement, or if someone is driving more than 80 miles per hour.

Most reckless driving charges in Brunswick County originate on the interstate. Reckless driving can be charged when someone is driving at a speed higher than 80 miles per hour. For instance, if someone is driving 81 miles per hour, they can be charged with reckless driving even though it is technically only 11 miles over the posted speed limit.

Reckless driving is a serious offense and an individual might find themselves facing Brunswick reckless driving penalties. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office can and does get involved in some prosecutions of reckless driving depending on the speed, the person’s previous record, and any companion charges. They occasionally prosecute those cases and ask for jail time.Reckless driving differs from speeding because a speeding ticket is an infraction. In Virginia, a reckless driving charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor and gets the same level of charge as getting a DUI, trespassing, or petty larceny.

Receiving a Ticket

A person can tell if what they have been charged with by reading the summons given to the person by law enforcement, which should have the charge written on it. The summons is given to the driver at the scene on the side of the road. Paying a ticket ahead of time is typically not an optionIn Brunswick County, police officers do not check the box on the summons for prepayment. However, they will tell an individual from out of state that they can call the court and prepay the ticket. Generally, the law enforcement officer tells the driver whether they are charged with something that can be prepaid or whether they must appear in court for the charge.

Brunswick Reckless Driving Cases

The process of a reckless driving case in Brunswick depends on the person’s driving record; whether they are charged with anything in addition to reckless driving; and whether they want to appear in court. The best way to begin the process is by calling an attorney to see what they should do first based on their individual circumstances.

At certain speeds in Brunswick County, the prosecutors jump in and prosecute these cases. They generally ask the judge to give one day of jail time for every mile an hour above a certain speed. Brunswick prosecutors and judges take these cases seriously and commonly suspend licenses, impose large fines, and sometimes seek and obtain jail time. Brunswick reckless driving penalties range from fines in the $100 range plus court costs up to $2,500 and 12 months jail time.

The defense attorney’s primary focus in a reckless driving case is different depending on whether the prosecutors are involved. In Brunswick County, a prosecutor takes a reckless driving case when they pursue jail time. When that is the case, the primary focus is to keep the client from going to jail. With a more standard reckless driving case where the prosecution is not involved, the main goal is to have the charge reduced from a reckless driving Class 1 misdemeanor category to a speeding infraction or a non-moving violation.

Importance of a Lawyer

Working with a local attorney provides many benefits. A local attorney is familiar with what the judge does at certain speeds depending on the person’s driving record. A local attorney knows the local law enforcement officers and has good working relationships with them. When law enforcement characterizes a person as cooperative and polite that can have a huge effect on the outcome of the case. Local lawyers are familiar with the prosecutors and negotiate with them regularly when they are involved in a case and are seeking jail time. Furthermore, a local lawyer will be familiar with Brunswick reckless driving penalties and can use their knowledge to build your defense.