In Virginia, reckless driving charges and traffic tickets carry severe penalties such as hefty fines, suspension of your driver’s license, increased insurance rates, and even potential jail time. These charges can have a lasting impact on your personal and professional life, affecting your reputation and future opportunities. That’s why it is crucial to seek legal representation when facing charges related to reckless driving or traffic offenses. Our team of experienced attorneys at Buczek Carpenter P.C. understand the nuances of Virginia’s traffic laws and are prepared to help you navigate traffic defense.

Traffic Tickets

In Virginia, traffic tickets can have severe repercussions that extend beyond simply paying a fine. While some offenses may be considered minor infractions, others can result in criminal charges that carry significant penalties, including license suspension, and increased insurance rates. At Buczek Carpenter, P.C., our experienced criminal defense attorneys are well-versed in representing clients facing a wide range of traffic violations, including but not limited to:

• Speeding
• Driving with a malfunctioning taillight or headlight
• Failure to stop at red light
• Running a red light
• Following too closely or tailgating

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is defined as operating a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the lives, property, or safety of others on the road. In Virginia, there are certain traffic violations that are automatically considered reckless driving. These include:

• Excessive speeding
• Racing
• Passing a stopped school bus
• Driving with faulty brakes or other mechanical failures
• Unsafe passing
• Driving with too many people in the front seat so that the driver cannot properly see or operate the vehicle
• Passing two vehicles on a road with less than three lanes
• Driving abreast of another vehicle on a road with less than 2 lanes
• Passing at a railroad crossing on a single-lane road
• Failure to us turn signals
• Failure to stop before entering a highway from a side street
• Failure to move over a lane when approaching emergency vehicles with lights flashing on a highway with at least four lanes
• Entering a “HOT lane” (high-occupancy toll lane) by crossing a barrier or other separator

At Buczek Carpenter P.C., our attorneys have an in-depth understanding of reckless driving laws and the intricacies of the legal system. We are here to provide clarification, guidance, and a robust defense tailored to your specific situation.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

A conviction for reckless driving in Virginia can carry severe penalties. Reckless driving is considered a class 1 misdemeanor, which is the highest level of misdemeanor offense in Virginia. The consequences of such a conviction can have a significant impact on various aspects of your life. The potential penalties and collateral consequences associated with reckless driving charges include:

• Fines of up to $1000
• License suspension for up to 6 months
• Jail sentence of up to 12 months
• An additional fine of $250 if unlawful use of a cellphone while driving was involved
• 4-6 points on driving record
• Increased insurance rates, more challenging to obtain employment, particularly in jobs that require driving or a clean driving record

Contact Information and Consultation

If you need defense for a traffic ticket, or are facing reckless driving charges in Virginia, we encourage you to reach out to us at Buczek Carpenter P.C. Our knowledgeable and dedicated team of attorneys is here to provide you with expert legal representation and guide you through the complexities of your case.

Don’t face traffic offense charges alone. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation with a skilled Fredericksburg attorney and let us fight for your rights and future. We are here to provide you with the expert legal representation you need during this challenging time.