Greensville Reckless Driving Lawyer
A conviction for reckless driving in Greensville is serious and can result in severe penalties being imposed. If you have been charged with reckless driving, you need an experienced Greensville reckless driving lawyer on your side every step of the way.
Your experienced defense attorney will be able to examine the facts and circumstances of your case and formulate the appropriate legal defenses to help you beat your charge, obtain a charge reduction, and/or obtain a reduced penalty upon conviction.
Defining Reckless Driving
Pursuant to Virginia Code, a person may be found guilty of reckless driving based upon speed alone. A person may be found guilty of reckless driving when driving a motor vehicle on the highways of Virginia under one of the following circumstances:
- Driving at a speed of 20 miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit
- Driving in excess of 80 miles per hour regardless of the applicable speed limit
In Greensville, a reckless driving charge is normally a Class I misdemeanor, with possible penalties of a $2,500 fine, six-month license suspension, and 12 months’ incarceration. However, reckless driving can also be charged as a felony, depending upon the egregiousness of the offense and the circumstances.
The following traffic violations may also be charged as reckless driving in Virginia:
- Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle
- Driving with faulty brakes
- Passing a vehicle on a curved roadway
- Aggressive or careless driving
- Drag racing
It is important to note that Virginia law also provides for a ‘catch-all,’ and under this provision, a driver may be charged with reckless driving simply because the officer believes that the driver is operating their vehicle in a way that poses a danger to persons or property. A Greensville reckless driving conviction normally remains on a person’s record for a period of 11 years.
Defenses to Charges
Several legal defenses are available to individuals who have been charged with reckless driving in Greensville. Some of the more common defenses to a reckless driving charge that a Greensville reckless driving lawyer may use include:
- Having a good driving record with no prior reckless driving charges or traffic citations
- Incorrect speedometer reading
- Speed radar not properly calibrated
- Bona fide emergency situations
Contact a Greensville Reckless Driving Attorney Today
Reckless driving charges are serious, and reckless driving may be charged as either a misdemeanor or as a felony under Virginia law, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case. Penalties upon conviction may include hefty fines and even jail time. Any criminal charge or conviction results in a criminal record. A criminal record can affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life, from getting a job, to school admission, to renting an apartment.
Greensville reckless driving lawyers can examine the facts and circumstances of your individual case and can assist you with formulating successful legal defenses to your charges. Although it may seem like the police officer and/or the Commonwealth’s attorney has the upper hand in a reckless driving case, legal defenses are always available to individuals charged with reckless driving.
An experienced Greensville reckless driving attorney may be able to help you obtain a dismissal of your case, charge reduction, and/or a reduced penalty upon conviction. You should feel free to contact a lawyer at any time, via telephone or email, for an initial consultation.