Traffic violations are among the most common criminal acts committed by individuals around the country. If you are facing potential fines and criminal punishment for committing a traffic violation, you might benefit from the counsel of a Chantilly traffic lawyer. Pursuing your own defense might be difficult against experienced prosecutors and legal officials. A local criminal defense attorney could inform you of your rights and work alongside you to strategize your defense whether it is a civil infraction, or a serious crime.
Traffic offenses are different from most criminal offenses. Usually, the state must provide proof that the accused has some level of culpability, or fault, for a given crime. However, in traffic violation cases, the state only needs to show that the accused committed the offense. No evidence of intent to commit a traffic violation is necessary.
With so many traffic laws regulating motorists across the state of Virginia, there are numerous traffic violations that a Chantilly driver may face. For every traffic law that is enacted to regulate, there must be a corresponding offense. Some of the most common traffic offenses include:
Some traffic offenses carry small infractions and are not even criminal offenses while others possess severe potential punishments. Traffic violations could be broken down into three levels of severity starting with infractions, then misdemeanors, and finally, felonies. An infraction such as speeding or texting while driving could possibly result in a fine and requirements for the defendant to complete a driving safety course.
Misdemeanors subject offenders to larger fines than simple civil infractions and there may also be mandated driving school and other administrative punishments. Common examples of traffic misdemeanors might include driving without a license, reckless driving, or driving with insufficient insurance or no auto-insurance policy at all. Misdemeanors will also show up on a driver’s permanent record, potentially affecting employment.
Traffic felonies carry the most severe punishment. A defendant facing a traffic felony could potentially face more than a year in prison and extremely costly fines. One example of a traffic felony is vehicular assault, which occurs when someone uses or threatens to use their vehicle to harm another. Hit and runs are also common traffic felonies in which a driver is involved in an accident but fails to stop and make a report. A traffic attorney in Chantilly could assist those accused of a traffic felony in making informed decisions regarding their defense, potentially preventing or mitigating serious criminal consequences.
A traffic violation might not seem like a big deal until you are facing expensive fines and even jail time. Traffic charges should be taken seriously as they could impact your record permanently. A Chantilly traffic lawyer might be able to help handle these charges and keep you on the road by taking you through the steps of defending your case. Find out more about your legal defense options by calling today.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
