Best Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Lawyer • 1500+ Client Reviews
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Henrico VA law firm. Our lawyers defend reckless driving cases every week in the Henrico Courts. We dedicate our practice to this area of the law. We believe clients benefit from a local law firm specializing in reckless driving defense. Representing clients before the same Henrico Judges weekly gives us an advantage over lawyers unfamiliar with local rules. An experienced Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Lawyer will present your best defense. Let us review your case. You can benefit from our experience. CAUTION: A reckless driving conviction will, on average, increase the automobile insurance premium by 73% or $1,046 EACH YEAR, according to a study conducted by Insurance.com.
30,000+ Clients Represented
1500+ Client Reviews
60+ Years of Combined Experience
Reckless Driving is a Criminal Misdemeanor Violation
The Virginia Reckless Driving Laws are some of the strictest in the country. There are more than 10 different VA reckless driving laws. Reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor criminal offense just like a DUI / DWI. A class 1 misdemeanor is the most serious type of misdemeanor. The penalties include incarceration. A reckless driving conviction can also jeopardize your driving privileges, career, driving record, and automobile insurance. Have you received a reckless driving ticket in Henrico County VA? If so, you need help from an experienced professional who specializes in successfully defending Henrico County reckless driving cases. In Virginia, reckless driving convictions are permanent, cannot be expunged, and remain on the DMV driving record for 11 years.
Henrico VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Client Review
Virginia Reckless Driving Penalties
- Maximum 12 months in jail
- Maximum $2,500 fine
- Loss of driving privileges
- Moving violation demerit points
- Community service
- Driver improvement programs
- Possible employment problems
- Increased automobile insurance rates
Experienced Henrico VA Reckless Driving Defense Attorney
Our top rated Henrico VA reckless driving attorneys have over 60 years of combined legal experience. We are routinely recognized for our superior legal ability and high ethical standards. Our lawyers examine every case in detail so that we can present the best defense. Our lawyers understand how reckless driving evidence is obtained and presented to the Court. This is important for a successful defense. We know what defenses work with Henrico Judges and those that do not work. Put our experience to work for you. Our firm has been favorably reviewed more times than any other law firm that defends Henrico County reckless driving cases. Allow us to review your reckless driving case. We can help!
Virginia Uniform Summons Reckless Driving Ticket Issued by Henrico Police
A Virginia Uniform Summons is the legal document issued by Henrico police officers or Virginia State Troopers during a reckless driving traffic stop. Motorists often refer to this document as a ticket. 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 that a hearing will be at the Henrico County General District Court on a particular date and time. The hearing will either be an arraignment or a trial depending on the case. Allow our top rated Henrico VA reckless driving lawyers to review your summons. We can develop a defense strategy even if you think you are guilty.
Free Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Consultation
Some drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their reckless driving in Henrico case. 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 is a criminal misdemeanor that carries harsh penalties. Our top rated Henrico VA reckless driving lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining good results. Our attorneys spend a significant amount of time in the Henrico General District Court every day and are familiar with the habits of the of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who issue the tickets. This local knowledge is invaluable when determining how to best defend a reckless driving case.
Henrico Reckless Driving Trials are Adversarial By Design
If you have been accused of reckless driving in Henrico County, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Henrico General District Court. Reckless driving charges are adversarial in nature. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Henrico Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the defense. The adversarial system is designed to ensure a fair trial process subject to the rules of law and evidence by allowing each side to present their case and to be able to challenge the other’s arguments and evidence. The Henrico District Court Judge ultimately evaluates the evidence and arguments to reach a verdict. This system ensures that the prosecution meets its high standard of proof.
Elite Henrico VA Reckless Driving Attorneys by Virginia Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a lawyer rating service of outstanding attorneys from over 70 practice areas who have attained the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Henrico VA reckless driving lawyers have been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of the lawyers are named to this list and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a top rated Henrico County reckless driving attorney who has been recognized with this elite award.
Henrico County Reckless Driving Speeding Attorneys
The Virginia reckless driving speeding law pursuant to Va. Code 46.2-862 criminalizes speeding 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit or driving faster than 85 mph regardless of speed zone. This is the most enforced reckless driving law in Henrico County VA. The speed limit on some Henrico VA interstate highways is 70 mph. This means that a motorist can be charged and convicted of criminal misdemeanor reckless driving for driving 86 mph in a 70 mph speed zone. A very harsh punishment for exceeding the speed limit by 16 mph. This is no regular speeding ticket. This is a criminal misdemeanor case. Retain a top rated professional to present the best defense.
Speedometer Calibration For Henrico Reckless Speeding Cases
Sometimes a motorist is driving too fast in Henrico County but the vehicle has a defective speedometer. A speedometer calibration may assist our top rated Henrico reckless driving lawyers. A speedometer calibration is a specialized test performed by certain mechanics that measures the accuracy of a vehicle’s speedometer. Not just any mechanic can perform this type of diagnostic test. The test comes with a report showing whether the speedometer was off and if so, by how many miles per hour. An experienced Henrico VA reckless driving attorney will introduce evidence of the calibration results pursuant to Va. Code 46.2-942. Such evidence shall be considered by the court in both determining guilt or innocence and in fixing punishment.
Reckless Driving Fail to Move Over for Stationary Emergency Vehicle
Va. Code 46.2-861.1 requires drivers to “move over” to an adjacent lane when passing an emergency stationary vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the highway with emergency lights activated under certain traffic conditions. A violation can be considered reckless driving if a stationary emergency vehicle is in involved, which is a criminal misdemeanor. If you have been accused of violating this reckless driving law then it would be in your best interests to consult an accomplished top rated local Henrico VA reckless driving attorney before appearing in the Henrico General District Court. We know how to successfully defend these types of cases. You may have a valid defense and not realize it.
Henrico VA Reckless Driving Accident Defense Attorneys
Reckless driving general (46.2-852) and driving a vehicle not under proper control or with faulty brakes (46.2-853) are the two most common reckless driving laws that Henrico police officers will charge a motorist with in traffic accident cases. Any person who drives a vehicle that is not under proper control may be violating the reckless driving law. NOTE: The mere happening of an accident does not mean you are guilty of reckless driving. Sometimes the prosecution cannot prove how the accident happened. Other times there is only evidence of slight culpability. The issuance of a summons for reckless driving is not a conviction. Our Henrico VA reckless driving attorneys know how to best defend these types of cases.
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law Can Defend Any Reckless Driving Case
- 46.2-852 General recklessness
- 46.2-853 Fail to maintain proper control
- 46.2-854 Passing on a grade or curve
- 46.2-855 View obstructed/control impaired
- 46.2-856 Passing two vehicles abreast
- 46.2-857 Driving two abreast
- 46.2-858 Passing at a railroad crossing
- 46.2-859 Passing a stopped school bus
- 46.2-860 Failing to give proper signals
- 46.2-861 Driving too fast conditions
- 46.2-861.1 Failure to “Move Over” or Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle
- 46.2-862 Speeding
- 46.2-863 Failure to yield
- 46.2-864 Parking lots
- 46.2-865 Racing
- 46.2-865.1 Injury or death while racing
- 46.2-866 Racing; aiders or abettors
- 46.2-867 Racing; seizure of motor vehicle
- 46.2-868.1 Aggressive Driving
Henrico Legal Elite Reckless Driving Lawyer by Virginia Business
The Virginia Business publication is dedicated to covering the legal community in every region of the Commonwealth. Since 2000, in cooperation with the Bar Association, the Top Attorneys are recognized with the Legal Elite award. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in the Commonwealth. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 attorneys each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated lawyers who have been recognized by their peers for excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized for being Legal Elite. A practitioner cannot purchase their way in to being recognized as a member of the Legal Elite community. Let a Henrico County VA Legal Elite reckless driving attorney review your case.
Out of State Reckless Driver Retains Top Rated Henrico Defense Lawyer
Out-of-state drivers must defend their Henrico County reckless driving ticket because a conviction will be reported back to the home state. The home state and automobile insurance company will likely then take action against the driver. Henrico County sits along the Interstate 95, 295 & 64 corridors. Many of our clients are not from the area or are drivers from other states such Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont & Maine because large numbers of motorists drive through Henrico County on the interstates. In many instances, we can make a motion to waive our client’s appearance so that our client does not have to return to Henrico VA for the trial.
Henrico Virginia I-95 Reckless Driving Lawyers
Interstate 95 is the largest north-south interstate on the east coast. I-95 enters Virginia near Emporia. This interstate runs through the center of Henrico County just north of the capital city. I-95 enters the county near Brook Hill around Brook Road and Chamberlayne Avenue. This section of I-95 was once part of the Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike. I-95 continues on through the Yellow Tavern section of the county near Parham Road. The final interchange is with I-295. Many local drivers and motorists from other states find themselves passing through this area. Henrico Police and State Troopers strictly enforce this short stretch of road. Our Henrico VA reckless driving lawyers can help if you have been charged a violation of this law.
RACING in Henrico VA is Serious Reckless Driving & Can be a Felony
The racing law is the most serious type of reckless driving law. Any person who engages in a race in Henrico County VA between two or more vehicles on a highway is guilty of reckless driving. Racing can even be a felony if it causes serious bodily injury to another person who is not involved. The Henrico Judge can suspend driving privileges for as many as three years if convicted. In fact, you do not even have to be engaged in a race to violate this law. Any person who aids or abets a race can also be convicted of criminal misdemeanor reckless driving racing. Contact our top rated Henrico VA reckless driving attorneys to review your case.
The Jail Penalty is Real in Aggravated Henrico VA Reckless Driving Cases
Reckless driving is a criminal offense. With the exception of some racing cases, the offense is a class 1 misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is 12 months in jail. Most drivers charged with reckless driving will not see the inside of a jail cell even if convicted. That all changes if the Henrico Commonwealth Attorney considers your case to be an aggravated reckless driving case and has set the matter for arraignment. At the arraignment, the Judge will advise the reckless driving motorist defendant of their constitutional right to hiring their own lawyer. Do not take any chances at this point. Retain a top rated Henrico VA reckless driving lawyer with the experience to present your best defense.
Henrico Reckless Driving Convictions Six DMV Demerit Points
There are numerous types of Virginia DMV demerit point violations. Demerit points are not issued when the Henrico County reckless driving summons or ticket is issued. The reckless driving demerit points are assigned only by the DMV shortly after the Henrico Court finds the defendant motorist guilty of reckless driving. The demerit points associated with a conviction remain valid for two years from the date the offense is committed. Henrico VA reckless driving convictions carry 6 demerit points. One safe driving point is assigned for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver’s license and drive without any violations or suspensions. A driver may accumulate a maximum of five safe driving points.
Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Reduced to Improper Driving
Improper Driving is a lesser offense of reckless driving. Improper driving is not a criminal misdemeanor. It is a minor traffic infraction. Va. Code § 46.2-869 gives the Henrico Judge the authority and discretion to find the defendant motorist not guilty of reckless driving and guilty of improper driving where the degree of culpability is slight. A conviction for improper driving is typically considered a win. The only thing that appears on the driving record is a conviction for improper driving. Improper Driving is a 3-point demerit point offense and stays on the Virginia driving record for 3 years. The maximum fine allowed by law is $500. Retain a top rated Henrico VA reckless driving lawyer to argue your case.
Traffic Lawyer Henrico VA Reckless Driving Client Reviews
Driver Improvement Program For Henrico VA Reckless Driving Cases
A Driver Improvement Program is an educational course designed to improve the knowledge and driving skills of participants. One of the main purposes to complete such a program is to provide a pathway for our reckless driving clients to mitigate the consequences of their Henrico reckless driving case. Completing a program may assist our top rated Henrico reckless driving attorneys in convincing the Henrico Judge to dismiss or reduce the case. The duration of the Program can either be a 12 hour or an 8 hour course. The program has in person and online formats. Consult our experienced Henrico VA reckless driving lawyers to understand your options before you pursue a driver improvement program for your reckless driving case.
Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Case Results
Reckless Driving Speeding 100/55 mph Nolle Prosequi
Reckless Driving Speeding 100/55 mph NOT GUILTY
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Reckless Driving Speeding 94/65 mph NOT GUILTY
Reckless Driving Speeding 94/65 mph NOT GUILTY
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Reckless Driving Speeding 94/55 NOT GUILTY
Henrico County Reckless Driving Speeding 94/55 NOT GUILTY
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Reckless Driving Speeding 105/55 mph NOT GUILTY
Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Speeding 105/55 NOT GUILTY
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Reckless Driving Passing a School Bus DISMISSED
Our Henrico County reckless driving lawyers represented a client accused of passing a school bus. The school bus was travelling on a four lane highway when it stopped at a day care to pick up and drop off children. A police officer was in front of the day care with his police lights on and observed the entire event. Va. Code 46.2-859 legislates that this type of driving activity as reckless driving. Our Henrico VA reckless driving attorneys had various arguments prepared to present to the Court that were successful. We convinced the Judge to enter an order that dismissed the case. Click on Case Result image for actual court record
Reckless Driving Speeding 92/55 mph DISMISSED
Henrico County VA Reckless Driving Speeding 92/55 DISMISSED
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11/10/2015 | Updated 11/4/2024