Spotsylvania Reckless Driving Defense Attorney
Reckless driving charge in Spotsylvania? Contact me today. Let’s talk about your defense strategy.
A charge of Spotsylvania reckless driving is serious. Fortunately, I focus on traffic defense in the Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and Stafford area, and my law partner also handles cases in Northern Virginia. Let’s look at your case and what I might be able to do about it.
Reckless driving offenses in Spotsylvania
The Code of Virginia contains several varieties of reckless driving offenses. To know how we’ll defend your case, we first have to know exactly what statute you’re charged with violating.
The front of your Virginia Uniform Summons lists the specifics about your charge. Look under the section that gives you the date of your appearance in the Spotsylvania General District Court. There should be two blanks that show the code section you’re charged with violating, along with a description of the alleged violation.
One main type of Spotsylvania reckless driving is charged under 46.2-862 for reckless driving due to speed. That statute makes it reckless driving to drive at any speed over 80 mph or any speed 20 mph or more above the speed.
The other most common reckless driving charge I see in Spotsylvania is under 46.2-852 for generally driving in a way that endangers people or property. That statute is very open-ended, so it’s subject to many different interpretations.
Defenses to Spotsylvania Reckless Driving Charges
In Spotsylvania reckless cases, I use the full gamut of legal defenses, many of which are explained in my free reckless driving defense book.
The court is typically receptive of arguments based on speedometer calibrations, lack of the officer’s calibration proof, and reasonable doubt in general.
The current sitting judge isn’t too fond of sending people to Virginia driver improvement clinics, but he can be convinced to exercise his discretion to reduce charges even to non-moving violations like “defective equipment.”
Recent Case Result: Jailable Reckless Driving Reduced with Speedometer Calibration
(Cases depend upon unique facts. Past cases do not guarantee future outcomes.)
THE STORY:
We represented Bill for a high-speed reckless driving case in Stafford County where he was facing the risk of jail – or at least sitting in the courthouse holding cell.
Bill was of course very nervous about the possible misdemeanor conviction and losing his liberty behind bars. He followed all of our pre-court recommendations, including obtaining a notarized calibration of his speedometer.
Our firm argued in Stafford General District Court on Bill’s behalf that the judge should consider Bill’s favorable speedometer calibration and treat him like other low-speed reckless driving defendants.
CASE OUTCOME: The Stafford judge agreed with our argument, reducing the charge to a Stafford County code traffic ticket that doesnotappear on Bill’s driving record. Bill walked out of the courthouse that morning after paying a small fine.
Reckless driving charge in Spotsylvania? Contact my office for free answers
What is the Penalty for Reckless Driving in Spotsylvania County, Virginia?
If you have a ticket for reckless driving in Spotsylvania, Virginia you may be wondering what you’re really facing. Lots of websites out there will tell you you’re going to jail, will have $2,500 fine, will lose your license and your job.
That’s just not true.
The jail and fine are the maximum punishment allowed by law in Virginia for a charge of reckless driving. Technically speaking, you are facing the possibility of up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500.00 and loss of your privilege to drive in Virginia for up to six months.
However, those are the maximum punishments. Only one time have I ever seen anyone in any court been given the maximum fine of $2,500. I’m sure it happens more often, but out of the hundreds of reckless driving cases every day in Virginia, the percentage is tiny.
What are you really facing in Spotsylvania for a reckless driving charge? The question will definitely come down to several factors.
First of all, we’ll have to look at your driving record. What’s your record like? Have you had other tickets? Have you had other reckless driving tickets? Have you ever gone to a driving school before for any reason? Depending on all those pieces of information, I can tell better what you may be facing.
Another key piece of information for a Spotsylvania reckless driving case is of course the actual allegation about the case. Is it a case for speed, and if so, what speed are you alleged to have been going in what zone?
Not all reckless driving by speed cases are created equal. If you’re charged with just going exactly 20 miles an hour over the speed limit. that’s reckless driving technically, but depending on your record that may be a case that we could have completely dismissed with you attending a driving school in Spotsylvania.
Contrast that with a case where you’re charged with going over 100 miles in Spotsylvania. In that case, you may very well be looking at going to jail for a few days.
Spotsylvania reckless driving cases definitely vary depending upon all the facts and circumstances. Unfortunately, nobody can write an article that covers the outcome for every reckless driving case across the state. It’s impossible because cases differ so much depending on all the subtleties of the case.
But this is also why it’s important to discuss your case with a local, experienced, trusted reckless driving lawyer in Spotsylvania County.
The Spotsylvania General District Court
The Spotsylvania court system is one of my favorites. It has a comfortable rural town feel, and everyone I deal with is polite and courteous.
Adult traffic cases are handled in the Spotsylvania General District Court. It’s located at 9111 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania, VA. It’s the Route 208 business route. The General District Court is in the court complex, on the first floor of the building without columns.
Judge Richard McGrath is the usual sitting judge in Spotsylvania General District Court. Currently, a second judge comes in on Thursdays to help with the court’s overburdened docket.
The head Commonwealth’s Attorney (prosecutor) in Spotsylvania County is Ryan Mehaffey. Their office is located down the hall from the General District Court. They don’t normally get involved with reckless driving cases unless it’s a high speed (typically 100 mph) or there are other aggravating factors, such as a fatality.
Contact Our Spotsylvania Reckless Driving Lawyers Today
I’d love to discuss your Spotsylvania reckless driving charge with you. We can look at the charge you’re facing, the facts of your case, and your driving record; then we’ll work together to create a defense plan to help you get the best outcome possible.
Call me now at 540.318.5824 for your free case strategy session, or download your free reckless driving defense book.
