Virginia Beach, Virginia is known for its bustling boardwalk, family friendly activities, and of course, its beautiful beaches. But as relaxed as this community can be, there is no relaxed attitude when it comes to a reckless driving charge. When you are charged with reckless driving in Virginia Beach, Virginia, life can change pretty quickly…and not for the better.
While there are many ways a person can be charged with reckless driving, the basis for this law centers around a driver having a complete disregard for other people’s safety while operating a motor vehicle. So what exactly does this mean? How can you be charged with reckless driving? Let’s review a few examples.
Let’s say you are driving on a highway with a posted speed limit of 50 mph when a Virginia Beach police officer clocks you driving 71 mph on radar. Because you were caught speeding more than 20 mph over the speed limit, you won’t just receive a simple speeding ticket--you will be charged with reckless driving. The same can be said if you are caught driving over 80 mph no matter what the posted speed limit is. Another way you can be charged with reckless driving is if a police officer observes you passing a school bus that has come to a stop with its lights on.
Keep in mind, these are just some examples of traffic violations that may lead to a reckless driving charge. While you may be tempted to represent yourself in court, please know that in some jurisdictions, you cannot enter into a plea bargain if you do not have an attorney. This is why it’s in your best interest to seek counsel.
If you are convicted of reckless driving, the penalties are much more harsh than what you can expect from a minor traffic violation. You can face expensive fines (as much as $2500), a minimum six-month license suspension and even up to one year in jail.
In Virginia, reckless driving is a Class I misdemeanor that stays on your criminal record for life. A conviction may hinder your ability to obtain employment or housing and make it difficult for you to enroll in school.