Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia
Out of State - Reckless Driving
Just stopped this past weekend for speeding on 64 about 10 miles from Wlmsburg. (Nice start to the vacation). The citation was issued for 87 in a 65. Clean driving record. I had a similar ticket--name removed-- exp. registration reduced in NC to an equipment violation for only around $250. I plan on retaining a lawyer, but will it really cost in the neighborhood of $1500 for the lawyer fees? And then possibly $250-$500 more in fines/court costs? For out of state, is a corrective driving course applicable/recommended? Should I take one in advance of the court date? Thanks in advance for input.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Out of State - Reckless Driving
For the garden variety reckless driving charge,
absent extraordinary circumstances, a fee of around $500 should suffice for representing the
defendant in the local traffic court.
Re: Out of State - Reckless Driving
The most important thing to do first is to get
a copy of your driving record, on paper.
Pretty much everything will depend on how good
your driving record is. (If it is bad, keep
it to yourself and hope they don't find out from
your State. If it is good, show the prosecutor
your driving record.)
Taking a voluntary course is primarily important
if it will give you a better driving record score
on your driving record. There is no automatic
benefit to doing so.
I don't know why it would cost $1500 for an
attorney. Williamsburg is much too far for me
to help you, but I would not charge anything
close to that.
However, this is potentially a very serious
matter. It can involve jail time, a suspended
driver's license, etc. it is not likely, unless
your driving record is bad, but it is possible.
Therefore, it is defintiely worth taking the
time and trouble now to try to protect yourself.
The best course of action, if the prosecutor
will not cut you a deal for improper driving
(not a crime) is to APPEAL any conviction from
general district court and then request a JURY.
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