Reckless driving cases, when heard in the Loudoun County General District Court, are always heard by a judge and never by a jury. If an individual is convicted by a judge in the General District Court and choose to appeal that decision, they may elect to have their case heard by a judge or a jury at the Loudoun County Circuit Court. At the General District Court level, however, they do not have the right to a jury trial.
Prosecutors and judges in Leesburg treat reckless driving cases very seriously. First, reckless driving is viewed as a safety issue. Authorities want to make sure that all our roads are safe and free from those who may cause accidents or drive in a manner that causes danger to life, limb or property.
Therefore, when cases display reckless or dangerous behavior, the prosecutors and judges take it very seriously. This is especially true in high speed cases, cases involving repeat offenders or when drugs, alcohol or distracted driving is involved.
Every jurisdiction in Virginia has slight nuances in how they handle reckless driving cases. Some courts are more apt to give high fines, some judges enforce reckless driving convictions more vigorously with jail time or license suspension, and other jurisdictions view the offenses itself as punishment enough.
If you are charged with reckless driving in Loudoun County, especially in Leesburg, you should expect that your case will be taken very seriously. It is in your best interest to contact an attorney who is experienced in these courts and practices here often, so that they can give you the most reliable options and expectations when you are charged with a reckless driving offense.
Reckless driving in Leesburg is a big deal. The judge, law enforcement officer, and prosecutor will not take it lightly. Therefore it is important to have an experienced reckless driving advocate on your side. An experienced reckless driving attorney can talk to the prosecutor, can talk to the law enforcement officers and review the facts against you and discuss what mitigating circumstances may have been in play to help your case.
The biggest mistakes to avoid in reckless driving cases are:
The best way to avoid making serious mistakes in a Leesburg reckless driving offense is to contact an experienced Leesburg reckless driving attorney right away.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
