Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Which is more serious, felony eluding or reckless driving? My son was charged with both and has a public defender but should I also hire another attorney and who would handle the case? Do the courts usually reduce a class 6 felony eluding to a class 1 misdemeanor? Thank you.


Asked on 8/10/10, 9:09 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor 1 offense, the eluding charge

is a Class 6 felony at a minimum and considerably more serious.

Whether you would want to hire a private attorney to represent your son would

seem to depend upon whether you and your son believe that the public

defender is doing an adequate job in representing him.

No, I do not believe that Virginia traffic courts routinely reduce such felonies

to misdemeanor offenses.

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Answered on 8/15/10, 9:30 am
sheryl shane sheryl shane, attorney at law

It is more difficult to expunge convictions in Virginia than some people realize. Look to the future. A felony eluding is very serious. I would advise that you weigh the risks between how well you feel the public defender will do versus the cost of obtaining a lawyer of your choosing.

Ask which attorney appears to have more knowledge, experience, time, and ability. Attorneys at the public defenders office may be very good. Meet the person and decide. On the other hand, sometimes you get what you pay for. Attorney Sheryl Shane, tel. 703 503 4448. Web: www.sherylshanelaw.com.

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Answered on 8/17/10, 8:32 pm


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