Chesterfield General District Court Traffic Lawyer VA

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Traffic Lawyer Chesterfield County VA

Drivers from other states may be surprised to learn how seriously some traffic offenses are treated by Virginia courts. Judges in Chesterfield County routinely sentence defendants to jail time for reckless driving and other traffic violations which are classified as Class 1 or Class 2 Misdemeanors.

Reckless driving is defined as driving in a way that jeopardizes people or property. For this traffic violation, you will be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense and attracts harsh penalties. Therefore, it is important to you consult with a Chesterfield reckless driving lawyer to discuss your case in order to know the defenses.

Reckless driving is often charged on the same kind of summons, but it is much more serious than a simple speeding ticket. By Virginia law, speeding at 20 MPH more than the posted speed limit, or driving at more than 80 MPH regardless of the posted speed limit SHALL be charged as reckless driving. Reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a six month license suspension, and up to a $2,500 fine, not to mention the points against your DMV record and the insurance consequences.

A reckless driving offense that results in a person’s death can be charged as manslaughter.

Penalties For Reckless Driving In Chesterfield

Reckless Driving in Virginia is considered a Class One Misdemeanor.
Class One Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 12 months in jail.
Reckless Driving can be fined up to $2500. (§ 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor)
Reckless Driving can result in a 6 month suspension of your Driver’s License.
Reckless Driving convictions will add 6 DMV demerit points to your VA DMV record.

The Chesterfield law enforcement officer should clearly indicate on the ticket whether you are charged with reckless driving or just speeding. Some reckless driving charges require the defendant to appear in court personally. A Chesterfield traffic lawyer familiar with the Chesterfield court’s procedures can either tell you that you can appear by counsel or the Chesterfield traffic lawyer can make a motion in court to have your personal appearance excused.

Why do you need an attorney for Chesterfield Reckless Driving Case?

Engaging a Chesterfield reckless driving attorney for your reckless driving case can be much to your advantage. We have seen defendants plead guilty to reckless driving and other offenses that a skilled Chesterfield traffic lawyer might have convinced the court to dismiss or reduce to a more appropriate, lesser charge. The Chesterfield traffic attorney can help work out your defense and negotiate with the prosecutor. Also, your Virginia traffic lawyer can defend you by challenging the state’s evidence including the validity of the speed measuring method.

What Are Some Of The Commonly Charged Traffic Tickets in Chesterfield County Virginia?

Traffic tickets are also known as traffic infractions in Chesterfield, Virginia. They may be considered moving violations, which usually result in demerit points against your license, or non-moving violations, which typically result in fines only. Either way, the conviction is likely to be entered on your DMV record. When you get a traffic ticket in Chesterfield County, Virginia, the officer typically gives you a Virginia Uniform Summons. When you get a simple traffic infraction, you can usually prepay the fines and you do not have to go to Chesterfield court.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Prepaying a traffic ticket has the effect of a guilty plea and will result in a conviction being recorded against you.

On a Virginia DMV record, demerit points will remain for two years and the record of the offense will stay on your driving record anywhere from 3 to 11 years, depending on the offense. In addition, your driver’s license could get suspended if you pay your fines late or accumulate too many demerit points.

Common Chesterfield traffic infractions include:

Speeding
Operating a motor vehicle with a taillight or headlight that does not work
Failing to come to a complete stop at a red light before turning right
Running a red light
Operating a motor vehicle too close to another vehicle
Improper turn
Improper passing
Failing to yield
Failing to obey a highway sign or lane marking
Making an illegal U-turn

Virginia Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses

Some traffic tickets are considered misdemeanors in Chesterfield, Virginia. If you are convicted, you face more serious penalties, will have a permanent criminal record, and be assessed demerit points on your driver’s record.

Some common Chesterfield traffic violations that fall into this category include:

Driving on a suspended license. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor—the most serious in Virginia. The penalties include up to one year in jail, fines of up to $2,500, and a suspension of your license for 90 days. Call and speak with a Chesterfield traffic driving on a suspended license lawyer today.
Driving on a revoked license. This is also a Class 1 misdemeanor with similar sentences to driving on a suspended license. However, a third offense would be a Class 6 felony. In addition, your driver’s license would be revoked—more serious than having it suspended with additional requirements for it to be reinstated.
Driving Without A License.Virginia law exempts certain people. If you are a nonresident, a new Virginia resident, a military service member or their spouse, you may have additional technical legal defenses.

If you’ve been charged with driving without a license in Virginia, don’t make the common mistake of trying to go it alone without an experienced Chesterfield traffic lawyer. You need an aggressive and knowledgeable Chesterfield traffic attorney who will fight for your rights and, where appropriate, negotiate a favorable outcome. Let us be your traffic lawyer.

§ 46.2-300. Driving without license prohibited

No person, except those expressly exempted in §§ 46.2-303 through 46.2-308, shall drive any motor vehicle on any highway in the Commonwealth until such person has applied for a driver’s license, as provided in this article, satisfactorily passed the examination required by § 46.2-325, and obtained a driver’s license, nor unless the license is valid.
A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Upon conviction under this section, the court may suspend the person’s privilege to drive for a period not to exceed 90 days.
DUI. A first offense DUI charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The penalties can include a fine of between $250 and $2,500, jail sentence of up to one year, revocation of your license for one year, and more.

Insurance and Security Clearance Ramifications

In addition to the actual penalties imposed by a court, you should consider the effect a conviction will have on your motor vehicle insurance rates. Insurance companies use their own point system and may raise your rates or refuse to renew your policy, even for a conviction for a single offense. If an insurance company raises your rates, this will usually be for a term of three years. These costs add up.

If you possess a government security clearance, this may also be affected by a conviction for a motor vehicle related charge, especially for offenses involving drugs or alcohol, or those for which you could be jailed.

Because so many people travel through this County, law enforcement is extremely vigilant and target high speed reckless driving, DUI and other traffic offenses. So if you have been charged with a high speed reckless driving offense, DUI or traffic ticket, call and speak to a Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Chesterfield traffic lawyer for real answers and options. 888-437-7747.
If you have received a Chesterfield traffic citation and you want to meet with a Chesterfield traffic lawyer, you can meet with a Chesterfield traffic lawyer at our Richmond office. Call today to schedule an appointment and speak with a Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Chesterfield traffic lawyer.

If you have been charged with a traffic ticket in Chesterfield, Virginia, call the Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. for help. We are your Chesterfield traffic ticket lawyer in Virginia, Chesterfield traffic defense lawyer in Virginia, Chesterfield reckless driving lawyer in Virginia, Chesterfield DUI lawyer in Virginia, Chesterfield traffic ticket defense lawyer in Virginia, uniform summons lawyer in Virginia, reckless driving lawyer in Virginia.