Sussex County Reckless Driving Lawyer

Reckless driving charges could result in a loss of driving privileges, incarceration, and substantial fines. Unlike many moving violations, reckless driving is not solely a traffic offense, it is a criminal offense that is punishable by criminal penalties, in addition to administrative penalties, such as a driver’s license suspension.

If you have been charged with reckless driving in Sussex County, Virginia, do not delay in contacting a Sussex County reckless driving lawyer to have your case evaluated. An experienced defense attorney can help give an honest assessment of the case.

Defining Reckless Driving

Driving in a manner or at a speed that puts lives or property in danger constitutes reckless driving. While that includes acts that are commonly considered reckless, such as drag racing, the charge also includes driving faster than 80 miles per hour or 20 or more miles over the speed limit.

To be charged with the offense, there is not a requirement that there be an accident and/or an injury; as a Sussex County reckless driving attorney can explain, the risk alone meets the threshold.

Potential Penalties in Sussex County

The charge of reckless driving is classified as one of the most serious misdemeanor offenses in Sussex County. Accordingly, the penalty, following a conviction, is up to one year in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both. Also, the judge can suspend licenses up to six months.

As a criminal offense, a conviction for reckless driving would appear on the driver’s criminal record, which could further impact an individual’s ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance, secure employment, and in some cases, housing. There are also separate administrative penalties with the Department of Motor Vehicles, for convicted drivers.

The administrative penalties connected to a reckless driving conviction on the first offense include, but are not limited to, six points on the driver’s record that is maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles, a conviction that remains on the driver’s record for 11 years, and six month’s suspension of the driver’s license. Additionally, a conviction would result in increased insurance premiums that are not likely to reduce substantially over time.

Building a Defense

When a driver is facing reckless driving charges, an experienced Sussex County reckless driving attorney is necessary to present the best defenses possible. There is not a one size fits most approach in the criminal justice system.To make a determination about which defense is most likely to prevail, an experienced attorney must review the facts that are unique to a specific case.

There are multiple defenses that are available, depending on the circumstances, leading to the reckless driving citation. Driving 81 miles per hour to get to the hospital for an emergency or to get home to children after an unexpected emergency are possible defenses to reckless driving charges. Other defenses may include the police not following protocol prior to issuing the ticket and/or police failure to observe the driver’s due process rights.

A Virginia reckless driving ticket that is not aggressively targeted can negatively impact your life. Many fail to realize that reckless driving citations in Virginia are more serious than other moving violations and their reaction is not always as aggressive as it should be on the front end to limit the possible negative outcome.

Contact a Reckless Driving Attorney Today

Regardless of the reason for the charge, it is imperative that you work with a knowledgeable Sussex County reckless driving attorney for the best possible outcome if you have been cited for reckless driving in or around Sussex County.