Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer

Fairfax Speeding Ticket Attorney

Legal Help for Reckless Driving, Speeding Charges

In Virginia, speeding can either be charged as a form of reckless or non-reckless driving. A conviction for reckless driving by speed remains on your record for 11 years, while a conviction for simple speeding (non-reckless driving) remains on your record for 5 years. Some police may even charge drivers with aggressive driving.

Establishing a Record That Will Be Used Against You Later

Some people think “I’ll just pay the fine”, but a conviction on your record can set you up for future difficulties. If you are ticketed for another traffic offense, the prosecutor and judge will be less inclined to show leniency in any future charges. Many of our clients have expressed regret for not fighting the first reckless driving charge they faced.

Don't pay the ticket without first consulting an attorney who can explain the possible consequences. Call a criminal defense lawyer at MacDowell & Associates in Fairfax at 703-763-0923. The initial consultation is free.

Please note that paying a speeding ticket or any other pre-payable traffic ticket is an admission of guilt. If you already have too many demerit points on your driving record, paying the fine may trigger the DMV to take action against your license. In short, you could lose your license by just paying the fine.

What Is Reckless Driving –by Speed?

There are more than a dozen different types of reckless driving in Virginia, including Reckless Driving General and Reckless Driving by Racing. Reckless speeding is driving 20 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit or driving 80 or more miles per hour regardless of the limit.

Reckless driving by speeding does not require proof that you were driving dangerously or proof that you intended to or knew that you were speeding. "I wasn't paying attention," is not a defense under Virginia law, but an experienced traffic attorney can properly use this during plea negotiations or as mitigation.

Whether this is your first speeding ticket for reckless driving or whether you have already have several moving violations on your record, we can help. Please contact MacDowell & Associates for a free consultation.