Best Rockbridge County VA Reckless Driving Lawyers • 1500+ Client Reviews
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an experienced law firm. Our firm is recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. We specialize in defending reckless driving cases and have over 60 years of collective reckless driving law experience. Our Rockbridge County VA reckless driving lawyers have been recognized superior legal ability and the highest ethical standards. We can help you with your Rockbridge County VA reckless driving case. Do NOT plead guilty without first consulting an attorney. The consequences can be devastating. Do not miss an opportunity to defend yourself! CAUTION: A Rockbridge County reckless driving conviction can increase the automobile insurance premium by 73% or $1,046 EACH YEAR, according to a study conducted by Insurance.com
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Reckless Driving is a Criminal Offense in Virginia
Reckless Driving in Virginia is a criminal misdemeanor offense. Most of our clients are good people who simply made a mistake. Our clients are serious about protecting their driving privileges. Other concerns include employment, professional licensing and automobile insurance policies. Virginians and residents from out of state need a dedicated professional advocate. We represent Virginia drivers and out-of-state clients before the Rockbridge County General District Court. Do not plead guilty. Convictions are permanent. Put our experience to work for you. We can help!
Top Rated Rockbridge County VA Reckless Driving Client Review
Reckless Driving on Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County VA
Interstate 81 runs through Rockbridge County VA. Several motorists get pulled over for driving too fast on this stretch of highway. Our reckless driving lawyers will examine your case and use proven strategies to successfully defend you. We use every resource the law allows to best protect our client. We zealously advocate for every client. Our lawyers specialize in defending reckless driving cases. We are diligent and fight for our clients to achieve the best possible outcome under the law. Let us review your case. You can benefit from our extensive experience.
VA Reckless Driving Speeding Law is Enforced in Rockbridge County
Rockbridge County enforces the reckless driving excessive speed law. Va. Code 46.2-862 is the most enforced reckless driving provision by State Troopers & Rockbridge County Deputy Sheriffs. In Rockbridge County, most of the enforcement occurs on Interstates 81 & 64 and Route 11. Virginia law states that a driver is guilty of reckless driving for driving faster than 85 mph or 20 miles per hour or more above the speed limit. Violations of this law carry strict penalties if convicted. Do not take any chances with your case. Retain a professional to present your best defense!
Virginia Summons Reckless Driving Ticket Issued by Rockbridge Police
A Virginia Uniform Summons is the legal document issued by Rockbridge Deputy Sheriff’s or State Troopers during a reckless driving traffic stop. Motorists often refer to this document as a ticket. The summons serves as legal notice for the alleged reckless driving violation. Signing the summons is not an admission of guilt. The summons advises you that a hearing will be at the Rockbridge County General District Court on a particular date and time. The hearing will either be an arraignment or a trial depending on the case. Allow our top rated Rockbridge VA reckless driving lawyers to review your summons. We can develop a defense strategy even if you think you are guilty.
Free Rockbridge County VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Consultation
Some drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their Rockbridge County VA reckless driving case. The biggest issue is usually experience. Keep in mind that there can be a lot riding on the case because reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor that carries harsh penalties. Our top rated Rockbridge VA reckless driving lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining good results. Our attorneys spend a significant amount of time in the Rockbridge General District Court every day and are familiar with the habits of the of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who issue reckless driving tickets. This local knowledge is invaluable when determining how to best defend a reckless driving case.
Penalties For Virginia Reckless Driving Convictions
- Incarceration
- Maximum fine of $2,500
- Permanent Virginia criminal misdemeanor conviction
- Increased automobile insurance premiums
- Potential loss of employment or employment opportunities
- Suspension of driving privileges
A Rockbridge Reckless Driving Ticket is NOT an Automatic Conviction
A reckless driving criminal conviction can negatively affect you in many ways. However, a Virginia Uniform Summons or ticket is NOT a conviction. Our Rockbridge County VA reckless driving lawyers defend this type of allegation in the General District Court. We know how to best protect our clients. The facts of each case can vary. Our knowledge, expertise, and experience helps us to select the best defense for your case. Sometimes the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient and sometimes we can prevail with mitigation evidence. We diligently prepare arguments for your particular circumstances.
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law Defend Rockbridge VA Reckless Driving Cases
- 46.2-852 – General rule
- 46.2-853 – Fail to maintain control; brakes
- 46.2-854 – Passing on grade or curve
- 46.2-855 – View obstructed/control impaired
- 46.2-856 – Passing two vehicles abreast
- 46.2-857 – Driving two abreast
- 46.2-863 – Failure to yield
- 46.2-864 – Parking lots
- 46.2-865 – Racing
- 46.2-865.1 – Injury or death while racing
- 46.2-858 – Passing at a railroad crossing
- 46.2-859 – Passing a stopped school bus
- 46.2-860 – Failing to give proper signals
- 46.2-861 – Driving too fast conditions
- 46.2-861.1 – Failure to “Move Over” or Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle
- 46.2-862 – Excessive speeding
- 46.2-866 – Racing; aiders or abettors
- 46.2-867 – Racing
- 46.2-868.1 – Aggressive driving
- 46.2-869 – Improper driving
Rockbridge Reckless Driving Trials are Adversarial By Design
If you have been accused of reckless driving in Rockbridge County, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Rockbridge County General District Court. Reckless driving trials are adversarial in nature. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Rockbridge Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the defense. The adversarial system is designed to ensure a fair trial process subject to the rules of law and evidence by allowing each side to present their case and to be able to challenge the other’s arguments and evidence. The Rockbridge District Court Judge ultimately evaluates the evidence and arguments to reach a verdict. This system ensures that the prosecution meets its high standard of proof.
Elite Rockbridge VA Reckless Driving Attorneys by Virginia Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a lawyer rating service of outstanding attorneys from 70 plus practice areas including reckless driving law who have attained the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This legal organization recognizes the top lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Rockbridge County VA reckless driving lawyers have been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of the lawyers are named to this list and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a top rated Rockbridge County reckless driving attorney who has been recognized with this award.
Reckless Driving Rockbridge County Emergency Vehicle Move Over Law
The “Move Over” law is serious in Rockbridge County. Va. Code 46.2-861.1 requires drivers to “move over” to an adjacent lane when passing an emergency stationary vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the highway with emergency lights activated under certain traffic conditions. A violation can be considered reckless driving if a stationary emergency vehicle is in involved, which is a criminal misdemeanor. If you have been accused of violating this reckless driving law in Rockbridge County then you need to consult an accomplished top rated local Rockbridge VA reckless driving attorney before appearing in the Rockbridge General District Court. We successfully defend these types of cases. You may have a valid defense and not realize it.
Rockbridge Legal Elite Reckless Driving Lawyer by Virginia Business
Virginia Business is dedicated to covering the legal community in Rockbridge County VA. Since 2000, in cooperation with the Bar Association, the Top Attorneys are recognized with the Legal Elite award. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in the Commonwealth. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 attorneys each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated lawyers who have been recognized by their peers for excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized for being Legal Elite. A practitioner cannot purchase their way in to being recognized as a member of the Legal Elite community. Let a Rockbridge County VA Legal Elite reckless driving attorney review your case.
Out of State Reckless Driver Retains Top Rated Rockbridge Defense Lawyer
Out-of-state drivers must defend their Rockbridge County reckless driving ticket because a conviction will be reported back to the home state. The home state and automobile insurance company will likely then take action against the driver. Rockbridge County sits along the Interstate 81 corridor. State Troopers aggressively patrol this area. Many of our clients are not from the area or are drivers from other states such Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut & Massachusetts because thousands of motorists drive through Rockbridge County on the interstate. In many instances, we can make a motion to waive our client’s appearance so they no not have to return to Rockbridge for the trial.
RACING in Rockbridge VA is Serious Reckless Driving & Can be a Felony
The racing law is the most serious type of reckless driving law. Any person who engages in a race in Rockbridge County VA between two or more vehicles on a highway is guilty of reckless driving. Racing can even be a felony if it causes serious bodily injury to another person who is not involved. The Rockbridge County Judge can suspend driving privileges for as many as three years if convicted. In fact, you do not even have to be engaged in a race to violate this law. Any person who aids or abets a race can also be convicted of criminal misdemeanor reckless driving racing. Contact our top rated Rockbridge County VA reckless driving attorneys to review your case.
Passing a Stopped School Rockbridge VA Reckless Driving Violation
A driver is guilty of reckless driving if they do not stop for a Rockbridge County school bus with its warning device activated. The school bus must be taking on or discharging children, elderly individuals, or individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Drivers shall remain stopped until all such individuals are clear of the highway, private road, or school driveway and the bus is put in motion. In some instances, there may be defenses that only a top rated Rockbridge County VA reckless driving attorney will know how to best present at trial. Allow us to review your case. NOTE: There is a civil penalty version of this violation that is less serious.
The Jail Penalty is Real in Aggravated Rockbridge VA Reckless Driving Cases
Reckless driving is a criminal offense. With the exception of some racing cases, the offense is a class 1 misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is 12 months in jail. Most drivers charged with reckless driving will not see the inside of a jail cell even if convicted. That all changes if the Rockbridge Commonwealth Attorney considers your case to be an aggravated reckless driving case and has set the matter for arraignment. At the arraignment, the Judge will advise the reckless driving motorist defendant of their constitutional right to hiring their own lawyer. Do not take any chances at this point. Retain a top rated Rockbridge criminal defense attorney with the experience to present your best defense.
Reckless Driving Convictions Carry Six DMV Demerit Points
There are numerous types of Virginia DMV demerit point violations. Demerit points are not issued when the Rockbridge County reckless driving summons or ticket is issued. The reckless driving demerit points are assigned only by the DMV shortly after the Rockbridge Court finds the defendant motorist guilty of reckless driving. The demerit points associated with a conviction remain valid for two years from the date the offense is committed. Rockbridge County VA reckless driving convictions carry 6 demerit points. One safe driving point is assigned for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver’s license and drive without any violations or suspensions. A driver may accumulate a maximum of five safe driving points.
Rockbridge County VA Reckless Driving Reduced to Improper Driving
Improper Driving is a lesser offense of reckless driving. Improper driving is not a criminal misdemeanor. It is a minor traffic infraction. Va. Code § 46.2-869 gives the Rockbridge Judge the authority and discretion to find the defendant motorist not guilty of reckless driving and guilty of improper driving where the degree of culpability is slight. A conviction for improper driving is typically considered a win. The only thing that appears on the driving record is a conviction for improper driving. Improper Driving is a 3-point demerit point offense and stays on the Virginia driving record for 3 years. The maximum fine allowed by law is $500. Retain top rated Rockbridge County VA reckless driving lawyers to argue your case.
Reckless Driving Defense REDUCES Case to Defective Equipment
Defective equipment is a minor no points non-moving violation traffic infraction. A common example is operating a motor vehicle with a broken headlight. A conviction only triggers a small fine. There is no other negative long standing impact. There are cases where our Rockbridge County VA reckless driving lawyers can convince the Judge to find our client NOT GUILTY of criminal misdemeanor reckless driving. If the Judge will not completely dismiss the case, then a defective equipment disposition is the next best result.
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7/31/2021 | Updated 4/16/2024
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