Maryland Driver Charged with Reckless Driving In Virginia
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law successfully defends Maryland licensed drivers charged with reckless driving in Virginia. Our lawyers have over 60 years of collective experience. We have been recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. Our law firm receives calls every day from Maryland drivers who have been accused of reckless driving. The most common incident involves excessive speeding on I-95, I-85, I-81 & U.S. Route 13 on the Eastern Shore. We have the experience to properly defend your Virginia reckless driving case. We have been favorably reviewed more than any other law firm in Virginia that defends reckless driving cases. Call today for a free case evaluation.
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Maryland Drivers Charged With Reckless Driving In Virginia
Maryland and Virginia share a border, but the reckless driving laws in each state are significantly different. Maryland drivers need to know that you can be convicted of criminal misdemeanor reckless driving for excessive speed in Virginia. Penalties include incarceration, loss of driving privileges and large fines. A conviction will eventually make its way back to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and demerit points will be assessed. The automobile insurance company will likely be negatively affected.
CAUTION: A reckless driving conviction will on average increase the automobile insurance policy by 73% or $1,046 EACH YEAR
MD Drivers Charged With Reckless Driving in VA – Client Review
NOTE: issuance of a Virginia Uniform Summons (the “traffic ticket”) is NOT a conviction.
Virginia Reckless Driving Laws Include 15 Different Code Sections
Maryland has 1 reckless driving law. Virginia has over 15 different reckless driving code sections. Reckless driving in Maryland is NOT a jailable offense. According to Maryland traffic code Section 21-901.1, a person is guilty of reckless driving for driving a motor vehicle: 1. In wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property; or 2. In a manner that indicates a wanton and or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.
Virginia Uniform Summons Reckless Driving Ticket Issued by Police
A Virginia Uniform Summons is the legal document issued by Virginia law enforcement officers for reckless driving during a traffic stop. Most Maryland driver refer to this document as either a ticket or citation. The summons serves as legal notice for the alleged reckless driving violation. Signing the summons is not an admission of guilt. The summons advises you of the date and time and location of your hearing in the General District Court. A Virginia police officer can also issue a summons for other criminal misdemeanor offenses as well as traffic infractions. Allow our Virginia reckless driving lawyers to review your summons. We can develop a successful defense strategy.
Maryland Drivers Can Serve a Jail Sentence In VA For Reckless Driving
The Virginia reckless driving law for speeding is a very serious law with very serious consequences. This often comes as a surprise to many Maryland motorists traveling on Virginia interstates because Maryland is fairly lenient on speeders. Virginia code 46.2-862 is the most commonly enforced Virginia reckless driving law. This law criminalizes speed where the speed evidence is either 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit or is in excess of 85 miles per hour.
In Maryland, speeding 40 mph over the limit is still only an infraction punishable by a fine and demerit points – incarceration not possible.
Free Reckless Driving In Virginia Lawyer Consultation Maryland Driver
Some Maryland drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their reckless driving in Virginia. The biggest issue with representing yourself is lack of experience. Keep in mind that there can be a lot riding on the case because reckless driving in Virginia is a criminal misdemeanor that carries harsh penalties. Our top rated VA reckless driving lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining good results. Our attorneys spend a significant amount of time in the Virginia General District Courts every day and are familiar with the habits of the of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who issue the tickets. This knowledge is invaluable when determining how to best defend a reckless driving in Virginia case.
Reckless Driving Speed Evidence of 86 MPH Calculated With RADAR
Driving 86 mph in Virginia is classified as reckless driving. This type of case may not trigger a jail penalty; however, it is still a criminal misdemeanor reckless driving offense. A criminal misdemeanor conviction is a problem for most clients. State Troopers, Deputy Sheriffs, and Police Officers often use speed devices like RADAR, LIDAR, and the PACE method to calculate speed evidence for trial. Retain a lawyer that knows how to properly defend speed related cases because a Virginia conviction is permanent.
Reckless Driving Speeding on Virginia Interstate Maryland License
Maryland licensed drivers frequently drive on Virginia highways. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) maintains over 57,867 miles of Virginia highways. Local governments maintain over 10,000 miles of their own streets and roads. Over 1,100 of those miles are Virginia interstate miles. This is a lot of road for driving mishaps. There are many places on Virginia interstates where the speed limit is 70 mph. If the speed evidence is 86 mph in a 70 mph zone, then the reckless driving law for excessive speed would be violated. Thus, a motorist can be convicted of a criminal offense for speeding 16 mph over the limit. This comes as a surprise to many Maryland drivers. Let us review your case.
Maryland Drivers Retain Virginia Lawyer For Reckless Driving
In Maryland, minor traffic violations can be disposed of through what the Court calls “probation before judgment” (PBJ). PBJ essentially means that although you admitted you were guilty, or there were sufficient facts to find you guilty at a trial, the judge does not enter a final judgment of “conviction” in the case. The charge will not appear on your regular driving record, no demerit points will be assessed; however, the event will likely appear on the Maryland PBJ record.
In Virginia, there is no such thing as “probation before judgment.”
The Maryland Point System
In Maryland, each moving violation offense is assessed a demerit point value. A conviction must occur for the points to go onto the driving record. Point accumulation remains on your Maryland driving record indefinitely. Depending on the number of points, the Maryland MVA can issue a written caution, a Points System Conference (PSC) and/or completion of a driver improvement program, or suspension or revocation of driving privileges.
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2017 | Updated 9/4/2024