Best Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving Lawyer • 1500+ Client Reviews

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established law firm. Our lawyers specialize in reckless driving defense. We represent clients before the Charlottesville General District Court. Our attorneys have over 60 years of collective reckless driving law experience. We are a “Best Law Firm” according to U.S. News & World Report. Our lawyers are routinely recognized for superior legal ability and ethical standards. We have been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that defends Charlottesville VA reckless driving cases. CAUTION: A Charlottesville VA reckless driving conviction will on average increase the automobile insurance premium by 73% or $1,046 EACH YEAR, according to Insurance.com

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Experienced Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys Charlottesville VA

Virginia has strict reckless driving laws. Reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor offense. The most enforced reckless driving law in Charlottesville VA is the excessive speed law pursuant to Va. Code 46.2-862. This law criminalizes speeding 20 mph over the posted limit or driving faster than 85 mph. The City of Charlottesville VA is along the I-64 corridor. Charlottesville Police, State Troopers & Deputy Sheriff’s aggressively patrol Interstate 64 and state highways in Charlottesville including Routes 250 & 29. Let us review your case.

Most Rated Reckless Driving Defense Attorney In Charlottesville

Thomas Eichler

Excellent legal advice and professional representation. Highly recommended!!

Experience Matters – Retain a Recognized Charlottesville Professional

Our trial lawyers are dedicated to defending reckless driving allegations. We are leaders in this practice area with a deep bench of experience from lecturing other lawyers about the status of the law at Virginia Trial Lawyers Association conventions to being a former Virginia State Trooper. You can benefit from our experience. An experienced Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving Attorney can present your best defense before the Charlottesville General District Court. We know how to best protect our clients.

Penalties for Reckless Driving Convictions in Charlottesville VA

Maximum 12 months in jail
Maximum $2,500 fine
Loss of driving privileges
Moving violation demerit points

Increased automobile insurance rates
Community service
Driver improvement programs
Possible employment problems

Virginia Summons Reckless Driving Ticket Issued by Charlottesville Police

A Virginia Uniform Summons is the legal document issued by Charlottesville Police 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyers to review your summons. We can develop a defense strategy even if you think you are guilty.

Reckless Driving Lawyer Charlottesville VA Free Consultation

Some drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining good results. Our attorneys spend a significant amount of time in the Charlottesville 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 knowledge is invaluable when determining how to best defend your case.

Charlottesville Reckless Driving Trials are Adversarial By Design

If you have been accused of reckless driving in Charlottesville, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Charlottesville General District Court. Reckless driving trials are adversarial. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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.

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law Defend 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

Elite Charlottesville 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 recognition and 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 Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyers have been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of all lawyers are on this list and no more than 2.5 percent are on the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a top rated Charlottesville reckless driving attorney who has been recognized with this award.

Out of State Reckless Driver Retains Top Rated Charlottesville Lawyer

Out-of-state drivers must defend their Charlottesville 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. Charlottesville sits along the Interstate 64 corridor. Many of our clients are not from the area or are drivers from other states such West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, & Ohio because large numbers of motorists drive through Charlottesville on the interstate. In many instances, we can make a motion to waive our client’s appearance so that our client does not have to return to Charlottesville VA for the trial.

Charlottesville Legal Elite Reckless Driving Lawyer by Virginia Business

The Virginia Business publication is dedicated to covering the legal community in Charlottesville. 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 Legal Elite Charlottesville reckless driving attorney review your case.

VA Move Over Law Can Be Reckless Driving in Charlottesville

Virginia law requires the driver of any motor vehicle to “move over” to an adjacent lane when passing a stationary vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the Charlottesville highway under certain traffic conditions. A violation of this law can be considered reckless driving if an emergency vehicle is in involved, which is a criminal misdemeanor in some cases. If you have been accused of violating this law in Charlottesville then it would be in your best interests to consult an accomplished local driving attorney before appearing in the Charlottesville VA General District Court. You may have a valid defense and not realize it.

Superb Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving Lawyers

The Avvo Rating can help you find the right Charlottesville VA reckless driving attorney. Avvo was derived from “avvocato”, the Italian word for lawyer. Avvo is a legal directory that rates legal professionals using a mathematical model on a scale of 1 (Extreme Caution) to 10 (Superb). Members of our Charlottesville VA reckless driving defense firm maintain a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. Avvo collects relevant information from state bar associations, other organizations that license legal professionals and thousands of consumers to calculate its rating. The same set of standards is used on all who are evaluated. The Avvo rating is merit based. You cannot pay a fee to improve your Avvo rating.

Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving Accident Defense Attorneys

Reckless driving general (46.2-852) and driving a vehicle not under proper control or with faulty brakes (46.2-853) are the two most common reckless driving laws that Charlottesville police officers will charge a motorist with in Charlottesville accident cases. Any person who drives a vehicle that is not under proper control may be violating the reckless driving law. NOTE: The mere happening of an accident does not mean you are guilty of reckless driving. Sometimes the prosecution cannot prove how the accident happened. Other times there is only evidence of slight culpability. The issuance of a summons for reckless driving is not a conviction. Our Charlottesville VA reckless driving attorneys know how to best defend these types of cases.

RACING in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville VA reckless driving attorneys to review your case.

The Jail Penalty is Real in Aggravated Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving

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 Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney considers your case to be an aggravated reckless driving case and has set the matter for arraignment. At the arraignment, the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyer with the experience to present your best defense.

Charlottesville Reckless Driving Convictions Six DMV Demerit Points

There are numerous types of Virginia DMV demerit point violations. Demerit points are not issued when the Charlottesville reckless driving summons or ticket is issued. The reckless driving demerit points are assigned only by the DMV shortly after the Charlottesville 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. Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 a top rated Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyer to argue your case.

Passing a Stopped Charlottesville School Bus is Reckless Driving

A driver is guilty of reckless driving if they do not stop for a Charlottesville VA 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville VA reckless driving attorney will know how to best present at trial. Allow our Charlottesville reckless driving lawyers to review your case. NOTE: There is a civil penalty version of this violation that is less serious.

Top Charlottesville Reckless Driving Lawyers Awarded Platinum Champion

Our Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyers have been recognized with Martindale’s Platinum Client Champion Award. This prestigious honor recognizes superior reckless driving attorneys for excellence. This award assists potential clients understand the real world experience previous clients have had with a law firm. Our Charlottesville Virginia reckless driving lawyers maintains a Platinum Rating – the highest rating possible. This award is given to lawyers who have received the highest number of client reviews with a score greater than 4.5/5.0. This award is a testament to the dedication our Charlottesville reckless driving attorneys have to client service and a commitment to providing excellent representation. The award also recognizes our ability to navigate the legal landscape and obtain positive outcomes for clients.

Driver Improvement Program For Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving Cases

A Driver Improvement Program is an educational course designed to improve the knowledge and driving skills of participants. One of the main purposes to complete such a program is to provide a pathway for our Charlottesville reckless driving clients to mitigate the consequences of their Charlottesville reckless driving case. Completing a program may assist our top rated Charlottesville reckless driving attorneys in convincing the Charlottesville Judge to dismiss or reduce the case. The duration of the Program can either be a 12 hour or an 8 hour course. The program has in person and online formats. Consult our experienced Charlottesville VA reckless driving lawyers to understand your options before you pursue a driver improvement program for your reckless driving case.

Charlottesville VA Reckless Driving DISMISSED

Our Charlottesville VA reckless driving attorneys represented a client who was charged with reckless driving for driving too fast. In this case, we developed defenses to the police RADAR device used to calculate speed. A plea of not guilty was entered. We were able to effectively cross examine the Charlottesville police officer who operated the RADAR in this case and made the reckless driving allegation. We exposed the fact that the RADAR used in this particular case was not tested for accuracy with properly calibrated tuning forks, which is required by Va. Code 46.2-882. The Judge granted our motion to dismiss the case.

Reckless Driving 90+ mph in Charlottesville NOT GUILTY

Our Charlottesville reckless driving attorneys defended a college student who was charged with Reckless Driving for driving in excess of 90 miles per hour on Interstate 64. There are approximately 29 colleges and universities along the I-64 corridor. At least half of all Virginia college students and their families use I-81. We presented compelling evidence and arguments to persuade the Charlottesville General District Court to take the case under advisement and to eventually find our client NOT GUILTY of the allegation.

Charlottesville Reckless Driving Traffic Ticket Client Review

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9/20/2024 | Updated 4/23/2025

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