Top Rated Northampton County VA Traffic Lawyers • 1500+ Reviews

Free Consultation with Top Rated Northampton County VA Traffic Lawyer

Some drivers think they do not need a traffic lawyer for their Northampton County VA traffic case. The biggest issues with representing yourself in traffic court is the lack of experience and legal knowledge. The average driver typically does not understand the best course of action to defend a particular case. Experienced Northampton County VA traffic attorneys know the best tactics and options for obtaining the best results. Our lawyers spend hours in traffic court every day 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 against a traffic ticket.

Elite Northampton VA Traffic Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers is a legal rating service comprised of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top practitioners nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Northampton VA traffic 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 Northampton County VA traffic attorney who has been recognized with this elite award.

A Virginia Uniform Summons is the Traffic Ticket Issued by Police

A Virginia Uniform Summons is the legal document issued by Northampton County VA law enforcement officers during a traffic stop. Most people refer to this document as either a traffic ticket or traffic citation. The summons serves as legal notice for the alleged traffic violation. Signing the summons is not an admission of guilt. The summons advises you of the date and time of your hearing in the Northampton County General District Court. A police officer can also issue a summons for criminal offenses such as reckless driving and other misdemeanor offenses. Allow us to review your summons.

Highest Rating Northampton VA Traffic Lawyer for Legal Ability & Ethics

For over a century, Martindale-Hubbell has been evaluating attorneys for their legal ability and ethical standards through a Peer Review Rating system. Riley & Wells Attorneys-A-Law are Northampton County VA traffic lawyers that maintain an AV Preeminent® law firm rating. The highest peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers. Legal expertise involves an attorney’s knowledge of the law, its application in their practice area and the analytical capacity of the attorney to analyze complex legal issues and provide effective legal solutions. Retain a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated Northampton VA traffic violation defense firm for your case.

Route 13 Northampton Reckless Driving REDUCED to No Points

Our Northampton County VA traffic attorneys represented a client from Maryland who was issued a Northampton County VA speeding ticket alleging criminal misdemeanor reckless driving based on excessive speed evidence. Most drivers from other states are shocked to learn that you can be sentenced to serve a jail penalty for merely driving too fast. A conviction would have drastic consequences. We were able to convince the Court to find our client NOT GUILTY. Unfortunately, the Judge was unwilling to dismiss the entire case. However, we convinced the Court to reduce the matter to the lowest offense possible called defective equipment. This is a no points non moving violation.

Speed Limit Northampton County VA Speed Trap

Speed enforcement in Northampton County is taken seriously by law enforcement. A few Virginia small cities and towns are particularly aggressive with enforcing the speed limit. Critics argue it is enforcement for case. Public safety officials maintain it is a safety issue. Governing Magazine conducted a study.  Northampton County’s Town of Eastville relies on traffic fines more than any other locality. Over 70% of Eastville’s 200-person town budget comes from traffic fines and court costs according to the study. Out-Of-State drivers often find themselves the victim of the Northampton County Route 13 speed trap. Do not plead guilty. Consult a local Northampton County VA traffic lawyer to present your best defense.

Northampton VA Traffic Courts Are Adversarial By Design

If you have been accused of violating a traffic law in Northampton County VA, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the General District Court. Traffic violation trials are adversarial in nature. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the 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 Northampton County District Court Judge ultimately evaluates the evidence and arguments, and reaches a verdict. This system ensures that the prosecution meets its high standard of proof.

Failure to Move Over for a Stationary Vehicle is a Traffic Violation

Va. code 46.2-861.1 requires the driver of any motor vehicle to “move over” when passing a stationary vehicle under certain traffic conditions. A violation of this law is a demerit point offense and can be considered reckless driving if the stationary vehicle is an emergency vehicle. This offense can be a criminal misdemeanor in some cases. Many drivers from other states are shocked at the severity of this law. It can also be a surprise to many that this is even a traffic law. If you have been accused of violating this law then you need to consult a Northampton VA traffic lawyer before appearing in the General District Court. You may have a valid defense and not realize it.

Speedometer Calibration Evidence Can Help Present The Best Defense

There are instances in speed cases where the defendant is operating a motor vehicle with a speedometer that is not accurate. Sometimes evidence of a speedometer calibration can assist the defense. A speedometer calibration is a test performed by mechanics that measures the accuracy of a vehicle’s speedometer. The test comes with a report showing whether the speedometer was off and if so, by how many miles per hour. An experienced Northampton County VA traffic lawyer will introduce evidence of the calibration results pursuant to Va. Code 46.2-942. Such evidence shall be considered by the court in both determining guilt or innocence and in fixing punishment.

Holding Cell Phone While Driving is a Traffic Violation

Virginia is a Hands Free Driving State. Virginia law prohibits having a phone or handheld personal communication device in your hand while driving pursuant to Va. Code §46.2-818.2. The prosecution does not need to prove that the driver was doing anything in particular on the phone or device to prove a violation. This offense is a moving violation demerit point offense. A conviction will post to the driving record. There are exceptions. The hands free law does not apply to drivers who are lawfully parked or stopped, drivers reporting emergencies, drivers using an amateur or citizens band radio, drivers operating emergency vehicles and certain operators of Department of Transportation vehicles.

Northampton Virginia Traffic Lawyer Client Review

Driver Improvement Program For Northampton VA Traffic Cases

A Driver Improvement Program is an educational course designed to improve the knowledge and driving skills of participating drivers. One of the primary purposes of a Driver Improvement Program is to provide a pathway for traffic law  defendants to mitigate the consequences of their Northampton VA case. Completing the program may assist a top rated Northampton County VA traffic attorney in convincing the Judge to dismiss or reduce the case. The duration of a Driver Improvement Program can either be a 12 hour course or an 8 hour course. The program has in person and online formats. Consult our attorneys to understand your options before you pursue a driver improvement program for your reckless driving case.

Northampton Traffic Violation Convictions Are Assessed DMV Demerit Points

There are numerous types of DMV demerit point violations. Demerit points are assessed by the DMV when a driver is convicted of a demerit point offense. Demerit points associated with a conviction remain valid for two years from the date the offense is committed. Different violations carry different point assignments, depending on the seriousness of the offense.  Convictions for serious offenses such as reckless driving or speeding 20+ over the speed limit carry 6 demerit points. One safe driving point is assigned for each full calendar year without any violations or suspensions. A driver may accumulate a maximum of five safe driving points. For out-of-state drivers, convictions are reported to the home state DMV.

Out-of-State Drivers Accused of Traffic Violation in Northampton VA

Route 13 is a great alternative to Interstate 95 for drivers from the Northeast. As a consequence, many of our clients are licensed drivers from other states who are simply driving through Virginia when they are stopped by law enforcement. It is important to defend your Northampton County VA traffic violation case because a conviction is permanent and will be reported back to the home state. A conviction can also have a drastic affect on employment background checks or for those who drive an employer’s vehicle. Some states suspend driving privileges if convicted even if the Northampton VA Court did not suspend driving privileges. In many cases, we can successfully represent our out-of-state client without them being present in Court.

Contact us today for a free evaluation of YOUR case!

7/13/2021 | Updated 11/16/2023

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