Best Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Lawyer • 1500+ Client Reviews
Virginia is one of the strictest states in the Country for its Reckless Driving laws. The Hopewell Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to enforcing the reckless driving laws on Interstate 295. Excessive speed can quickly escalate into a criminal reckless driving offense. A reckless driving conviction can negatively affect you in many ways. Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a local Hopewell VA law firm that defends these cases before the Hopewell General District Court every week. Our lawyers have over 60 years of collective reckless driving law experience. Let us review your case. CAUTION: A Hopewell VA reckless driving conviction will on average increase the automobile insurance premium by 73% or $1,046 EACH YEAR, according to Insurance.com
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Experienced Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Lawyer
Motorists who are serious about their future and driving privileges seek professional representation. Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law has been recognized as a “Best Law Firm” for reckless driving traffic law defense by U.S. News & World Report. Our law firm is also rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell for superior legal ability and high ethical standards. Our lawyers have the necessary experience and local knowledge to best defend your Hopewell VA reckless driving case. Put our experience to work for you. Contact a top rated Hopewell VA reckless driving lawyer to present your best defense. Caution: Attempting to defend a criminal misdemeanor without representation is often not a good idea.
Exceptional Hopewell Virginia Reckless Driving Attorney Client Review
Free Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Consultation
Some drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their reckless driving in Hopewell 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 Hopewell VA reckless driving lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining good results. Our attorneys spend a significant amount of time in the Hopewell 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.
Hopewell Reckless Driving Trials are Adversarial By Design
If you have been accused of reckless driving in Hopewell, then your case will eventually be set for trial before the Hopewell General District Court. Reckless driving charges are adversarial in nature. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the Hopewell 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 Hopewell 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.
Virginia Reckless Driving Penalties – City of Hopewell
- Maximum 12 months in jail
- Maximum $2,500 fine
- Loss of driving privileges
- Community Service
- Driver Improvement Programs
- Potential Employment Problems
- Increased Automobile Insurance Rates
- Permanent criminal record
Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Speeding Attorneys
The Va. Code has over ten different reckless driving laws. The Virginia reckless driving excessive speed law pursuant to Va. Code 46.2-862 is the most enforced reckless driving provision in Hopewell. Driving 20 mph or more above the speed limit OR in excess of 85 mph is reckless driving. The speed limit on I295 in Hopewell VA is 70 mph. A motorist can be convicted of reckless driving for driving 16 mph over the limit on Interstate 295. Unfortunately, this happens to drivers every day. Driver’s from other states are often surprised by this law. We are top rated reckless driving traffic lawyers in Hopewell that have the expertise to select the best defenses and arguments for your case.
Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Lawyer Free Consultation
Some drivers think they do not need a lawyer for their traffic ticket in Hopewell Virginia. Keep in mind that there is a lot riding on the case because reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor with the potential for harsh penalties. The biggest issues with representing yourself are the lack of experience and legal knowledge. A professional Hopewell VA reckless driving lawyer knows the best tactics and options for obtaining good results. Our lawyers spend a significant amount of time in traffic court and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and the law enforcement officers who issue the tickets. This local knowledge can prove to be invaluable in deciding how to defend a reckless driving case.
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law Can Defend Any Hopewell Reckless Driving Case
- 46.2-852 General rule
- 46.2-853 Fail to maintain proper control
- 46.2-854 Passing on a grade or on a 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
- 46.2-858 Passing a 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
- 46.2-863 Failure to yield right-of-way
- 46.2-864 Recklessness on parking lots, etc
- 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
- 46.2-869 Improper driving
Virginia Uniform Summons Reckless Driving Ticket Issued by Hopewell Police
A Virginia Uniform Summons is the legal document issued by Hopewell VA law enforcement officers during a traffic stop for reckless driving. Most people 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 that a trial date has been set in Hopewell VA General District Court. A law enforcement officer can also issue a summons for other criminal misdemeanor offenses offenses. Allow us to review your summons. We can develop a defense strategy for your Hopewell VA reckless driving case even if you think you are guilty.
Hopewell VA is Famous for I-295 Traffic Enforcement Speed Trap
The Hopewell Sheriff’s Office is famous for its speed trap enforcement of the one mile stretch of Interstate 295 through the City of Hopewell – also known as the Million Dollar Mile. A speed trap is an area of the highway where police officers hide in order to detect vehicles exceeding a speed limit. According to a study by Governing magazine, there are several small Virginia jurisdictions that rely on traffic fines to fund its local government budget. However, its the Town of Eastville over on the Eastern Shore in Northampton County that relies more on traffic fines for revenue than any other Virginia locality with an astounding 72% of its budget coming from traffic fines and forfeitures.
Hopewell VA Reckless Driving 111/70 mph NOT GUILTY
Reckless Driving Speeding 111/70 mph REDUCED
Our Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Lawyers represented a client who was pulled over on Interstate 295 by a Hopewell Deputy Sheriff for reckless driving in violation of Va. Code 46.2-862 due to speed evidence that our client was traveling 111 miles per hour. Our client feared a term of incarceration and being convicted of a misdemeanor offense, which would have significantly affected his security clearance. We persuaded the Judge to find our client NOT GUILTY of reckless driving. The case was reduced to a minor traffic infraction. NOTE: Convincing a Judge to reduce cases involving speed in excess of 100 mph is extremely difficult.
Reckless Driving Speeding 99/70 mph NOT GUILTY
Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Speeding 99mph NOT GUILTY
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Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Attorney Recognized by Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a legal rating service of outstanding attorneys from over 70 practice areas including reckless driving law who have attained the highest degree of recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the nation’s top rated lawyers using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Hopewell VA lawyers have been recognized by this publication for reckless driving defense since 2009. No more than five percent of the Virginia 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 Hopewell VA reckless driving attorney who has been recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers with this elite award.
Reckless Driving Fail To Move Over For Hopewell 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 a highway shoulder such as I-295 with emergency lights activated under certain traffic conditions. A violation of this law can be considered reckless driving if a stationary emergency vehicle such as a Hopewell Deputy Sheriff police cruiser is in involved, which is a criminal misdemeanor. If you have been accused of violating this reckless driving law in Hopewell then it would be in your best interests to consult an accomplished Hopewell reckless driving attorney before appearing in the Hopewell VA General District Court. We can successfully defend these cases. You may have a valid defense and not realize it.
RACING in Hopewell 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 Hopewell 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 Hopewell 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 Hopewell VA reckless driving attorneys to review your case.
Legal Elite Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Lawyer
Virginia Business is dedicated to covering legal activity in Hopewell VA. In association with the Bar Association, top rated Virginia attorneys from various practice areas including reckless driving law have been recognized as Legal Elite since 2000. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in the Commonwealth. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 lawyers each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated individuals who have been recognized by their peers for excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized for being Legal Elite. A lawyer cannot purchase his or her way in to being recognized as a member of the Virginia Business Legal Elite community. Retain a Hopewell VA Legal Elite reckless driving lawyer.
Passing a Stopped Hopewell School Bus Reckless Driving Violation
A driver is guilty of reckless driving if they fail to stop for a Hopewell school bus with its warning device activated. The Hopewell school bus must be taking on or discharging children, elderly individuals, or individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Drivers shall remain stopped until all such individuals are clear of the highway, private road, or school driveway and the bus is put in motion. In some instances, there may be defenses that only a skilled Hopewell VA reckless driving attorney will know how to best present at trial. Allow us to review your case. NOTE: There is a civil penalty version of this violation that is less serious.
Reckless Driving Convictions Carry Six VA DMV Demerit Points
There are numerous types of Virginia DMV demerit point violations. Demerit points are assigned when a driver is convicted of certain Hopewell traffic violations. The demerit points associated with a conviction remain valid for two years from the date the offense is committed. Different Hopewell violations carry different point assignments, depending on the seriousness of the offense. Hopewell 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.
Hopewell 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 Hopewell 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 Hopewell VA reckless driving attorneys know how to best defend these types of cases.
Out of State Reckless Driver Retains Top Rated Hopewell Defense Lawyer
Out-of-state drivers must defend their Hopewell VA 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. Hopewell VA sits along the Interstate 295 corridor. 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 Hopewell Virginia on Interstate 295. In many instances, we can make a motion to waive our client’s appearance so that our client does not have to return to Hopewell VA for the trial.
Hopewell VA Reckless Driving Attorney Client Reviews
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11/10/2015 | Updated 11/20/2024
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