Warrenton, Virginia Speeding And Reckless Driving Lawyers

Last updated on March 17, 2025

Most people know that speeding on Virginia highways and roads can result in tickets and fines and that points can be added to a driver’s license for each offense. However, many people do not know that it is often possible to fight the charges with the help of an attorney.

If you are facing a speeding violation or a more serious ticket for reckless driving, we can help you protect your driving record or prevent serious problems with your insurance premiums and your personal criminal record. At Mark B. Williams & Associates, PLC, we provide skilled defense against traffic and DUI charges of all kinds.

Reckless Driving Convictions In Virginia Can Lead To Jail

In Virginia, reckless driving is a punishable crime, a class one misdemeanor. You can be charged with reckless driving if you: 1) are driving 20 miles per hour beyond the speed limit or 2) are driving faster than 80 miles per hour.

Depending on the speed, you can actually be sent to jail. Many drivers are surprised to be ticketed locally on Route 66, which has a high speed limit of 70. The reality is that you can be charged with a misdemeanor for exceeding the speed limit by only 10 miles per hour.

What Are Common Examples Of Reckless Driving In Fauquier County, Virginia?

Reckless driving in Fauquier County can have severe consequences, including a criminal record. Understanding what constitutes reckless driving is crucial. Here are some common examples:

• Excessive speeding: Driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit or exceeding 80 miles per hour
• Aggressive driving: Tailgating or weaving in and out of traffic lanes
• Ignoring traffic signals: Running red lights or stop signs
• Passing on a curve: Overtaking another vehicle on a blind curve
• Racing: Participating in street racing or drag racing

Understanding and avoiding these behaviors is crucial. If you are charged, seeking legal representation from an experienced reckless driving attorney is vital to protecting your reputation and future.

How Are General Speeding Tickets And Reckless Driving Violations Different?

While both offenses are traffic violations, they carry different consequences. A speeding ticket usually results from exceeding the speed limit by a small margin. Such traffic citations often lead to fines and points on your license.

Reckless driving, on the other hand, is considered a criminal offense. It involves behaviors that endanger others, like excessive speeding or aggressive driving. In Virginia, reckless driving can result in license suspension, heavy fines or even jail time.

This is more than just a traffic citation; it impacts your criminal record, which can lead to negative impacts on your life. Having a skilled reckless driving attorney is essential for your defense if faced with such charges. Legal representation can help reduce the severity of the charge or possibly dismiss it.

How To Fight A Reckless Driving Charge

If you are facing a reckless driving charge, it is advisable to work with an attorney to explore your legal options as you navigate this situation. Remember that it can have a significant impact on your future. With that in mind, here are some common defenses and important questions to ask:

Who Was Driving The Vehicle?

You may contest that it is a case of mistaken identity and you were never behind the wheel to begin with. Police officers can and do make mistakes, such as charging the wrong person or even pulling over the wrong car.

Where Were You Charged?

Remember that some offenses may depend on the speed limit in your area. For instance, if you are traveling over 20 miles an hour over the speed limit, you could face excessive speeding and reckless driving charges. But if the officer claims that you were in a 45 mph zone and you contest that you were in a 55 mph zone, the location could play a major role. You may only have been driving 10 miles per hour over the limit, which should not trigger reckless driving charges.

Were You On The Highway?

Highways, in particular, often have higher speed limits. The police may need to show that you exceeded 80 mph to charge you with excessive speeding. Speeds that are fully within the bounds of the law on a highway may be considered reckless and excessive in other locations.

Are There Radar Or LIDAR Calibration Issues?

If the police have pulled you over for reckless driving and excessive speeding, it is imperative that their radar or LIDAR device was properly calibrated and maintained. If not, the results may not be accurate and may not actually reflect the speed you were traveling at the time. It may be important to consider things like a speedometer calibration report or the use of GPS data. A GPS can often track how fast a car is traveling, which may be in stark contrast with a poorly calibrated speed-tracking device, like a radar gun.

Every case is unique, and our experienced attorneys can help you consider key factors, gather evidence and settle on a defense tactic as your case moves forward.

Examples Of Speeding Enforcement In Virginia

Virginia law enforcement employs various methods to monitor and control speeding. These strategies include:

• Radar guns: Used by officers to measure a vehicle’s speed from a distance
• Speed cameras: Automatically capture images of speeding vehicles
• Pacing: An officer follows a vehicle to estimate its speed by matching it
• Aircraft enforcement: Police aircraft monitor traffic and report speeding to ground units
• Speed traps: Areas where officers frequently monitor and catch speeding drivers, often in locations where the speed limit changes unexpectedly

These enforcement methods aim to maintain road safety and prevent traffic violations. If you receive a ticket, consulting with a knowledgeable lawyer promptly can help you avoid charges, receive lesser penalties or regain your driver’s license if it’s suspended.

Helping You Minimize The Consequences Of A Traffic Charge

We represent drivers from the Warrenton area and the surrounding counties, helping them reduce their exposure and minimize the consequences of a reckless driving charge. Drivers who can benefit from our services include:

• Government employees: A reckless driving conviction can be harmful to some government employees and contractors since it can affect their security clearance.
• Students: A reckless driving conviction creates a criminal record. For college students, this can be detrimental to future job prospects and graduate school applications.
• Professional drivers: Particularly for truckers who drive for a living, a reckless driving conviction can cause them to lose their commercial driver’s license.
• Those seeking citizenship or a green card: A criminal misdemeanor may be harmful to immigration pursuits.

In many cases, our lawyers can help by reducing the charge to a less serious speeding ticket, thereby preventing a driver from having a criminal record.

Contact A Virginia Speeding Ticket Attorney Today

If you are concerned about a speeding ticket or reckless driving charge in Virginia, contact us online or call us at 540-254-0757 to get your questions answered. We offer free consultations, and we are available at all hours.