Receiving a reckless driving ticket in Roanoke County can start a process of scare tactics from lawyers attempting to get you to buy their services. You might not need a lawyer, though, and you shouldn’t call one right away. What you do need is an understanding of reckless driving: the charge, penalties, and legal procedures involved.
That’s where my book, which discusses reckless driving in Virginia, comes in. You can get a free copy below to help you understand what steps you need to take.
What is Roanoke County reckless driving?
As Chapter 1 of my book will tell you, reckless driving in Virginia is considered a class 1 misdemeanor. This means that it’s on par with offenses like driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.
Though most reckless driving tickets are issued for speed, Virginia has numerous other types of reckless driving charges, many of which fall into a vague, general category. Chapter 1 gives more in depth details of these categories.
What possibilities might there be in Roanoke County for reckless driving?
Because reckless driving can carry fines of up to $2,500, license suspension, or even jail time as well as other consequences that are explained in Chapter 2, it is important to know possible defenses and outcomes.
In order to find you guilty of reckless driving, the Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving in a way that violates Virginia’s reckless driving laws. There are, however, many defenses you can use in your case.
For example, a police officer must have his tuning forks calibrated every six months, and if he lacks the appropriate paperwork to prove this, your case could be dismissed. Other possible defenses (and defenses that just don’t hold up) can be found in chapters 3 and 4.
What other outcome might be available for a Roanoke County reckless driving ticket?
At this point, you may want to start talking to an experienced traffic lawyer. There are several other possibilities worth looking into. At times, judges use driver improvement clinics or community service to reduce the charge to improper driving, which carries a lot less penalty than reckless driving does. Chapter 5 expands on these options as well as discussing a few other options.
Sometimes, though, the outcome could be that you are convicted of reckless driving. If that’s the case, Chapter 7 can help you appeal to the Circuit Court. With this information, you can appeal and get a whole new trial with a different judge and a chance of obtaining an outcome you’re more pleased with.
Do I need to hire a Roanoke County reckless driving lawyer?
Good question! Ultimately, it’s up to you. You now have a better understanding of what you face when charged with reckless driving in Roanoke County, and you may not need an attorney. But if you decide to hire an one for your case, you should have more information on how to go about that.
Chapter 8 explores different questions you should ask a lawyer you’re considering hiring. These questions go beyond a mere “How much do you charge?” and ensure that you get the best lawyer suited for your case.
In order to get all this information, all you need to do is fill out the form below. The book is free and will be emailed to you in just a few seconds!