While many view traffic violations as minor infractions and nuisances, they can also prove to be a serious matter. Traffic tickets and moving violations can negatively impact your life especially if you receive more than one in a year’s time. They may also hurt you financially in ways such as driving up your insurance. For these reasons, if you have been charged with a serious traffic violation, you may benefit from the assistance of an Alexandria traffic lawyer in order to potentially avoid conviction, high fines, courts, and trouble with your insurance company.
You should never underestimate the seriousness of your traffic violation; even the minor ones such as an improper turn or a five mile over-the-limit speeding ticket can result in fines or worse. In Virginia, traffic violation cases can involve:
A person may be charged with reckless driving by speed if they are:
But other forms of driving can be viewed as “reckless,” such as:
If you’re convicted of reckless driving in Virginia, it becomes part of your driving record for 11 years. And because it’s a misdemeanor, it will stay on your criminal record for the rest of your life. Some discount carriers may drop drivers with reckless driving convictions or other serious traffic convictions. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VDMV) places six demerit points on your driving record for a reckless driving conviction; the highest number for a single offense. These demerit points are not discretional, meaning that the judge has no authority to lower points if you are found guilty of reckless driving. The severe nature of a reckless driving charge means that it’s often a good idea to hire an Alexandria traffic lawyer who knows how the minimize the amount of harm done.
Every year you drive without a ticket, the DMV “gives” you a safe driving point. And if you take safe driver education on your own, not only does the state give you another five points, but you may save on insurance. Those who drive safely do get the benefits, but a reckless driving conviction can wipe out all that goodwill the moment the judge’s gavel comes down.
As an Alexandria traffic attorney could explain, there are three classifications of negative-point-violation categories assigned to Virginia driving convictions: three, four, and six demerit points. The lower the point number, the less severe the conviction. Six-demerit-point violations include DWI/DUI, reckless driving by speed, speeding over 80 miles per hour, or over 20 mph above the posted limit, and driving with a suspended license.
Four-point violations include speeding (10 to 19 mph above the posted speed limit), unsafe passing, and failure to yield right of way.
Three-point violations include failure to observe traffic signals or signs, speeding up one to nine mph above the posted limit, improper driving, and making an illegal turn.
Due to the negative impact that these driving charges can have on your record it may be in the best interest of those accused to hire an Alexandria traffic attorney to protect you from Virginia’s serious traffic laws and their potential consequences. A traffic attorney in Alexandria will be able to look at the specific facts of your case and determine the best course of action to minimize the amount of harm done.
For these reasons, if you, a friend, or relative are facing serious traffic violations in Northern Virginia, call an experienced Alexandria traffic defense lawyer now.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
