Warrenton Traffic Violation Attorneys

A traffic ticket is not an unusual event for any regular driver. But under certain conditions, “another” ticket can raise real problems. Legal representation is often essential to reduce potential consequences.

If you were ticketed for speeding, reckless driving or received another traffic citation on a Virginia road, let the Warrenton law firm of Mark B. Williams & Associates, PLC, help you control the damage and protect your driving record.

Route 66, Route 17, Route 211, Route 15, I-81, Route 95, and Route 29 are major highways that are heavily traveled and heavily patrolled. Virginia traffic regulations are strict. Exceeding 80 mph or going 20 mph over the speed limit can get you into real trouble. Exceeding 90 mph can mean jail time.

Let our traffic violation attorneys in Warrenton, Virginia fight for your rights. We offer FREE consultations. Call us today at 540-254-0757, or reach out via email.

What Can You Expect If Convicted Of A Traffic Violation In Virginia?

You may be surprised to find yourself in the position of losing a commercial driver’s license, having your immigration status threatened, or even losing a government security clearance.

When Mark B. Williams & Associates, PLC, handles speeding, reckless or careless driving, and other charges, we are frank with our clients about where they stand. While it is often possible to have charges reduced, eliminating them is rare.

With our extensive experience, we know what to expect from the legal system, and we do not overpromise on the possibilities. Your insurance rates can rise significantly, you could lose your license, and you could end up with a criminal record. Penalties depend on your speed, your driving record and other factors.

Whether you are a college student passing through the area or a government employee working in the Washington, D.C., area, we can help you understand your situation and help you obtain the best possible outcome.

What Are The Penalties For A Traffic Violation In Warrenton, Virginia?

Virginia state law is harsh when it comes to traffic violations. Lawmakers took this process seriously, and the state ranked in the top 10 in the nation for worst states for speeding tickets according to Business Insider. The review looked at how state authorities handled both speeding tickets and reckless driving, along with various subcategories of these offenses. These included the amount over the speed limit that resulted in an automatic reckless driving charges and how much speeding tickets can count towards a driver’s license suspension.

How Does Virginia Handle Common Traffic Violations?

As the top 10 list alludes to above, not very leniently. The state is pretty strict when it comes to these violations. When it comes to reckless driving, defined by Virginia state law as driving a vehicle at a speed or in a manner that could endanger the “life, limb, or property of any person,” a violation can result in a the state finding the driver guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. This is the most serious misdemeanor. It can come with up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. The fact that this offense can result in jail time for a first offense was one of the reasons Virginia ended up on the top 10 list mentioned above.

The state of Virginia also takes running a stop light seriously. Those who commit this offense can be detained or arrested by a law-enforcement officer who either sees the violation or is messaged and informed of the violation by another law-enforcement officer who observed the driver run the red light. This can also lead to a monetary penalty of $350.

What Are The Differences Between Moving And Non-Moving Violations?

As an experienced driver in Virginia, you are probably reasonably well versed in the laws of the road and make a conscientious effort to follow them at all times. Therefore, you probably know that you can receive a traffic ticket for both non-moving and moving violations. However, you may not know what exactly each entails, particularly non-moving violations, which include more than what the name suggests on its own.

Non-moving violations primarily pertain to matters related to parking. If you leave your car in a no-parking zone, next to a fire hydrant or in an emergency lane, your vehicle is in violation of traffic laws even though it is not in motion. If you park in a space reserved for handicapped individuals and do not have the proper permits, that is another example of a non-moving violation. Yet another non-moving violation for which you could receive a ticket is having your car parked in front of an expired meter, whether you left it too long or failed to pay the fee in the first place.

Interestingly, non-moving violations can also pertain to faulty equipment on the vehicle that you need to have repaired. An example of this would be an excessively noisy muffler. Though your car would have to be running to alert law enforcement to the problem, it would not necessarily have to be in motion.

There is less ambiguity when it comes to moving violations. These pertain to violations of traffic law that take place while the vehicle is in motion. They can be willful attempts to flout the law, such as DUI or reckless driving, or violations that usually result from carelessness, such as running a red light or speeding.

How Many Demerit Points Go On Your Driver’s License For Traffic Violations?

When convicted of a traffic violation in Virginia, the court reports it to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which assigns demerit points according to the severity of the violation. Points can remain on your record for years, affecting your license status and possibly your insurance rates. Here is a breakdown of point violations:

• Six-point violations: These are the most severe and include offenses like reckless driving, excessive speeding (20 mph over the limit or over 80 mph), DUI (driving under the influence) and vehicular manslaughter. Six-point violations remain on your record for 11 years, with some, like DUI, staying permanently.
• Four-point violations: These include offenses of moderate severity, such as speeding 10-19 mph over the limit, passing a stopped school bus and following too closely. Four-point violations generally stay on your record for 3 to 5 years, depending on the offense.
• Three-point violations: These apply to minor traffic infractions like failing to obey a traffic signal, making improper U-turns or driving without headlights at night. Three-point violations are the least severe and typically remain on your record for 3 years.

While demerit points stay on your record for several years from the date of the offense, the actual convictions may stay much longer. Violations from other states can also impact your Virginia driving record and add points.

Are There Ways To Remove Demerit Points From Your Driver’s License In Virginia?

Yes, you can take steps to reduce demerit points. By voluntarily completing a DMV-approved Driver Improvement Clinic, you can earn up to five safe driving points, which offset demerit points on your record. This option is available every two years and can help restore your record if you have accumulated too many demerit points. Completing a clinic may also fulfill certain court orders, allowing you to avoid suspension due to excess points.

Can You Contest A Traffic Ticket In Virginia?

In Virginia, you have the right to contest any traffic ticket by pleading “not guilty” in court. During the hearing, you can present evidence or call witnesses to defend against the charges. Legal representation may assist in negotiating with prosecutors to reduce the charges or penalties. If the court’s decision is unsatisfactory, you can appeal to a higher court within ten days, which may result in a reduced penalty or a dismissed case.

Can A Traffic Violation Disqualify You From A CDL?

To drive for a living, you must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). But if you have committed certain traffic violations, the state can actually either refuse to allow you to apply or revoke your current license.

Serious enough violations may even count toward your CDL even if you were driving in a private vehicle at the time. Repeated convictions or serious infractions could result in a lifetime revocation of your CDL, preventing you from ever working in the industry again. But fortunately, most cases involve only temporary revocation which can range from 60 days to several years.

Serious Violations

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles discusses disqualifications from commercial driver’s licenses. Know first that two or more serious convictions can lead to disqualifications of up to 60 days, while three or more convictions may result in 120 days of disqualification.

Some examples of these serious violations include texting while driving, driving a commercial vehicle without your CDL, or driving over 15 miles above the speed limit. Any sort of reckless driving also counts as a serious violation.

Major Violations

Major violations will result in the loss of your license for up to a year. If this offense occurred during the transportation of hazardous materials, it rises to three years. Some examples of major violations can include using commercial vehicles to commit a felony, failing to stop at the scene of a crash causing death or injury in a commercial vehicle, or making false statements on the CDL application.

Additionally, any DUI or the drug-related charge will automatically fall under this classification. Note that commercial drivers have a legal limit of 0.04 percent instead of 0.08 percent and that refusing to consent to a breath or blood test may result in disqualification, too.

Don’t Wait. Call Today To Schedule A Free Initial Consultation.

Whether your ticket is for failure to stop, failure to yield or another moving violation, contact us. We also defend individuals who have been arrested for drunk driving. For more information about your legal concerns and criminal defense options, speak with an experienced Virginia trial lawyer.

Contact us today for more information about your case by calling 540-254-0757 or by sending us an email. Located behind the courts in Warrenton, our office is open during weekly business hours. We also offer evening and weekend hours by appointment. Credit cards are accepted and we offer free initial consultations for criminal law, traffic matters and personal injury cases.