Best Northampton County VA Reckless Driving Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law are local prominent Northampton County VA reckless driving lawyers that specialize in reckless driving defense. Our attorneys represent clients accused of reckless driving in the Northampton Courts. We are dedicated to client service. Our Northampton VA Reckless Driving Attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience. Our law firm has been recognized as a “Best Law Firm” for legal excellence and high ethical standards. We are located on “Lawyers Row” in the Historic Court Green in Eastville. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other firm that defends Northampton County reckless driving cases. CAUTION: A 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 Northampton VA
Reckless driving is aggressively enforced throughout Northampton County VA by the Northampton Sheriff’s Office, State Police and the other law enforcement agencies that patrol the area. U.S. Route 13 is the County’s major highway that tends to capture the most reckless driving enforcement. Most reckless driving violations are classified as a class 1 misdemeanor criminal offense. Reckless driving can be a felony is some instances. The penalties for a reckless driving conviction in Virginia are some of the strictest in the nation. An allegation is NOT a conviction. Retain a professional Northampton reckless driving lawyer to present your best defense!
Most Rated Northampton County Reckless Driving Law Client Review
Penalties For Reckless Driving in Northampton Can Be Harsh
- Maximum 12 month jail sentence
- Maximum $2,500 fine
- Loss of driving privileges
- Permanent criminal conviction
- Increased automobile premiums
- Moving violation demerit points
- Community service
- Driver improvement programs
Reckless Driving is a Criminal Offense in Northampton
Reckless Driving in Northampton County VA is serious business. If the police have issued a Northampton VA reckless driving ticket to you, then you need help. A reckless driving conviction will negatively affect your future. An experienced Northampton VA Reckless Driving Lawyer can protect you. CAUTION: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPRESENT YOURSELF WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING AN ATTORNEY. A motorist may be convicted of criminal reckless driving for driving 20 mph over the speed limit. Virginia convictions are permanent and cannot be expunged.
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law Defend Northampton VA Reckless Driving Cases
- 46.2-852 General recklessness
- 46.2-853 Fail to maintain proper control
- 46.2-854 Passing on a grade or curve
- 46.2-855 View obstructed/control impaired
- 46.2-856 Passing two vehicles abreast
- 46.2-857 Driving two abreast
- 46.2-858 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 Speeding
- 46.2-863 Failure to yield
- 46.2-864 Parking lots
- 46.2-865 Racing
- 46.2-865.1 Injury or death while racing
- 46.2-866 Racing; aiders or abettors
- 46.2-867 Racing; seizure of motor vehicle
- 46.2-868.1 Aggressive Driving
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Reckless Driving Lawyer
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a part of U.S. Route 13 in Northampton County VA. The Bridge-Tunnel have their own police force. Route 13 is strictly enforced. Parts of the bridge have emergency pull over sections where law enforcement sit and closely monitor traffic. The police department is usually running R.A.D.A.R., looking for reckless drivers and other traffic violations.
Northampton VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Free Consultation
Some drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their Northampton County reckless driving case. The biggest issues with representing yourself are the lack of experience and legal knowledge. Keep in mind that there is a lot riding on the case because reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor with the potential for harsh penalties. Experienced reckless driving attorneys know the best tactics and options for obtaining good results. Our lawyers spend a significant amount of time in traffic court and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who issue the tickets. This local knowledge can prove to be invaluable in deciding how to defend a reckless driving case.
Northampton County VA Reckless Driving Enforcement Zones
Common Reckless Driving Enforcement Areas in Northampton County
1. U.S. Route 13/Lankford Highway:
Route 13 is the main highway through Northampton County. Northampton VA law enforcement strictly enforce the reckless driving and aggressive driving laws on this road.
Hotspots include:
- Near Exmore (especially south of town limits)
- Between Cheriton and Eastville (rolling 55 mph zones where speeds often exceed 70)
- North of Cape Charles approaching the Bay Bridge-Tunnel toll area
2. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT):
State Police and Bay Bridge Tunnel Police patrol this stretch aggressively. Reckless driving is frequently charged for high speeds, unsafe maneuvers on or approaching the tunnel and in accident cases.
3. Route 184 (Cape Charles Road):
Common site for reckless driving enforcement by local Northampton County authorities, especially during weekends or tourist season.
Elite Northampton 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 Northampton 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 Northampton reckless driving attorney who has been recognized with this award.
Out of State Drivers Retain Top Rated Northampton Reckless Driving Lawyers
Out-of-state drivers will need a top rated Northampton County VA reckless driving lawyer for their case. The majority of defendants who have reckless driving cases before the Northampton Courts are not from the area. Just because you are out-of-state or not from the area does not mean you can ignore your Northampton VA reckless driving case. If convicted of reckless driving, the conviction will be reported back to your home state. This can create serious issues depending on your circumstances. We routinely represent clients who are license to drive in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine.
Exmore Police Department Issue Reckless Driving Speeding Tickets
Route 13 on the Eastern Shore of VA runs right through the Town of Exmore in Northampton County VA. It is a common for the Exmore Police Department to monitor traffic around the clock near the intersection of Route 13 and Bayside Road near the Dollar General. Click the “Traffic Ticket” in the image to see the actual Virginia Uniform Summons for Reckless Driving Speeding. A common scenario involves motorists from New Jersey who are driving through the area in the early morning hours to avoid traffic.
Superb Northampton County VA Reckless Driving Lawyers
The Avvo Rating can help you find the right Northampton 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 Northampton County 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 Northampton reckless driving lawyers who are evaluated. The Avvo rating is merit based. You cannot pay a fee to improve your Avvo rating.
Northampton County VA•Small Town•Big on Reckless Driving Enforcement
A few Virginia small cities and towns are particularly aggressive with enforcing the reckless driving law. The population in Northampton County VA is less than 13,000 residents. Northampton County’s Town of Eastville relies on traffic fines more than any other Virginia locality – even Emporia VA – according to a study conducted by Governing Magazine. Over 70% of Eastville’s 200-person town budget comes from traffic fines and court costs according to the study. Out-Of-State drivers frequently find themselves the target of this reckless driving enforcement. Consult a local Northampton County reckless driving lawyer to present your best defense.
The Jail Penalty is Real in Aggravated Northampton 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 Northampton 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 Northampton VA reckless driving lawyer with the experience to present your best defense.
Northampton County VA Reckless Driving Reduced to Improper Driving
Improper Driving is a lesser offense of reckless driving. Improper driving is not a criminal misdemeanor. Improper driving is a minor traffic infraction. According to Va. Code § 46.2-869, in the trial of any person charged with reckless driving where the degree of culpability is slight, the court in its discretion may find the accused not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving. 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.
Reckless Driving Fail To Move Over For Stationary Emergency Vehicle
Virginia code 46.2-861.1 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 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 then it would be in your best interests to consult an accomplished local reckless driving attorney before appearing in the Northampton County VA General District Court. We specialize in driving defense law. You may have a valid defense and not realize it.
Northampton VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Client Review
RACING in Northampton 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 Northampton 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 Northampton Judge can revoke 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 Northampton VA reckless driving lawyers to review your case.
Legal Elite Northampton County VA Reckless Driving Lawyer
The Virginia Business publication is dedicated to covering the legal community in Northampton County VA. Since 2000, in cooperation with the Bar Association, the top reckless driving attorneys are recognized with the Legal Elite award. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in the Commonwealth. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to a limited number of 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 Northampton County VA reckless driving attorney review your case.
Driver Improvement Program For Northampton County VA Reckless Driving
A Driver Improvement Program also known as a Traffic School is an educational course designed to improve the knowledge and driving skills of participants. One of the main purposes of a Driver Improvement Program is to provide a pathway for traffic court defendants to mitigate the consequences of their Northampton County VA reckless driving case. Completing a program may assist a top rated Northampton County VA reckless driving lawyer in convincing the Judge to dismiss or reduce the case. The duration of a VA DMV approved driver improvement program is an 8 hour course. The program has in person and online formats. Consult our Northampton County VA reckless driving attorneys about your case.
Northampton Virginia Trial Courts Are Adversarial By Design
If you have been charged with reckless driving in Northampton County VA, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Northampton General District Court. The trial process is adversarial by design. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Northampton County Commonwealth Attorneys 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 Northampton judge evaluates the evidence, arguments, and the credibility of witnesses to reach a verdict. This system ensures that the prosecution meets its high standard of proof.
Northampton 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 two common reckless driving laws that often involve accidents. Any person who drives recklessly or that is not under proper control, or that endangers life, limb or property violates the reckless driving law. There are various sections of the law that apply to reckless driving accident cases. NOTE: The happening of an accident does not mean you are guilty of reckless driving. Sometimes the prosecution cannot prove how the accident happened. The issuance of a summons also does not mean you are automatically guilty of reckless driving. Our Northampton VA reckless driving lawyers know how to best defend these types of cases.
“AV Preeminent” Rated Northampton VA Reckless Driving Attorneys
For over a century, Martindale-Hubbell has been the authority for evaluating legal ability and ethical standards of attorneys through a Peer Review Rating system established by lawyers and judges. Riley & Wells Attorneys-A-Law is an AV Preeminent® rated Northampton County VA reckless driving defense firm. The highest Martindale-Hubbell peer rating standard. This rating is given to those who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers. Retain a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated Northampton VA reckless driving defense firm for your case. Review the law firm’s legal rating and exercise caution before you secure representation with a firm that maintains an inferior rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Passing a Stopped School Bus in Northampton County is Reckless Driving
A driver is guilty of reckless driving in Northampton County if they fail to stop for a 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 skilled Northampton 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.
Northampton County VA Reckless Driving in Exmore DISMISSED
Our Northampton County reckless driving lawyers represented a client who was a licensed driver from Maryland. The client was pulled over by Exmore Police for driving too fast. The police officer used LASER to collect the speed evidence and charged our client with driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone. This is reckless driving, which in Virginia is a criminal misdemeanor. Our client is a physician and a criminal misdemeanor conviction would cause problems with his licensing requirements and his employment. The traffic stop took place on Route 13. At trial, we were able to convince the Judge to DISMISS the case. Click on Case Result image for actual court record.
Retain The Best Northampton VA Reckless Driving Lawyer
Finding the best Northampton County VA reckless driving lawyer for your case is very important but it does not need to be difficult. Take your time with your Northampton Virginia reckless driving lawyer search. Focus your efforts on finding a Northampton VA reckless driving lawyer that has dealt with your specific legal issue in the past and that you get along with personally. Taking the time to find the right reckless driving lawyer for you will be worth it. It is usually best to retain a reckless driving attorney who specializes. Finally, it is often a good idea to find an attorney familiar with the Northampton County VA courts.
Effective July 2026 Northampton Intelligent Speed Assistance If Convicted
Effective July 2026, a Northampton Judge may order installation of an Intelligent Speed Assistance device on your vehicle if you are convicted of reckless driving in Northampton County VA. The device is required if convicted of reckless driving in excess of 100 miles per hour. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor criminal offense to tamper with or attempt to bypass or circumvent such a system. Failure to comply with the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program will trigger suspension of driving privileges. Contact a Northampton County VA reckless driving lawyer for representation to avoid this harsh penalty if you have been charged with reckless driving in Northampton VA.
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7/13/2021 | Updated 11/7/2025
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