If you are speeding in Virginia and are pulled over by the police, you may receive more than a speeding ticket. You may be charged with reckless driving, which is a serious crime in our commonwealth. You would face a possible jail sentence, fines, suspension of your driving privileges, and a permanent criminal record. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid these harsh consequences if you retain an experienced reckless driving attorney in Fairfax.
When Is Speeding Charged as Reckless Driving in Virginia?
There are approximately 15 separate offenses that constitute reckless driving in Virginia. Two of them specifically involve speeding. Under Virginia Code § 46.2-862, you can be charged with reckless driving for speeding in these situations:
- You were driving over 80 mph regardless of the posted speed.
- You were driving 20 mph or more over the speed limit.
It is not too hard to unintentionally violate these reckless driving laws. This is especially true on Virginia’s highways, where the speed limit is 70 mph in some areas and other drivers are often traveling at a fast speed.
Penalties You May Face If Charged With Reckless Driving for Speeding
Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is the most serious type of misdemeanor offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If convicted, you face these penalties:
- Jail sentence of up to 12 months
- $2,500 fine
- Driver’s license suspension for up to six months
- Six demerit points on your driving record for a period of eleven years
Are you facing reckless driving charges in Virginia? You may have strong defenses that can result in the charges being dismissed or reduced to a less serious misdemeanor or traffic infraction.
Our skilled legal team has decades of experience defending clients facing these charges in Fairfax, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. To learn about how we can aggressively defend you, call our Fairfax office at (703) 352-0100 or start a live chat to schedule your free consultation today.
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