If you have been charged with Reckless Driving in Alexandria, Virginia, below are few things you should know before going to court.
Reckless Driving is a Criminal Charge
A conviction of reckless driving in Alexandria is a criminal conviction and will be put on your criminal record. Once convicted, you will not be eligible for an expungement to clear your criminal record of a reckless driving charge.
Reckless Driving stays on your DMV Record for 11 years
Alexandria reckless driving convictions stay on your DMV record for 11 years and carry six (6) points. Judges in Alexandria Courts have no control over points. Points in Virginia are assessed administratively by the DMV based on the conviction.
Alexandria Courts MAY allow you to do driving school.
In Alexandria, the prosecutor may offer you the opportunity to do driving school to have your charge reduced. This goes for the judges as well; however, there no guarantee that they will make this offer to you. If they do not, you will be stuck with whatever outcome you end up with at that stage. In Alexandria, if you are offered this program, it would be for a reduction only (typically speeding at the same speed or a slight reduction). Also, Virginia Law does not permit probation before judgment (PBJ) or other special deferments (e.g. STET docket) on Reckless Driving cases.
Alexandria Prosecutors May Talk to Individuals Charged with Reckless Driving Who Are Not Represented By Counsel
In Alexandria, you may have the opportunity to talk to the officer or prosecutor on your case. Typically, the prosecutor or the law clerk working for the prosecutor will call out the names of people that they are going to make an offer to and ask to speak to them outside the Courtroom. You can speak to your Police Officer in Alexandria, but in a reckless driving case, they will refer you to the prosecutor to speak with. The prosecutor may make you an offer to take driving school in exchange for a reduction.
Unless you are at risk of going to jail, Alexandria judges will not appoint you an Attorney for a Reckless Driving Charge.
In Alexandria, Judges will not appoint counsel for indigent defendants on Reckless Driving charges unless there is the possibility that they will impose a jail sentence. Everyone’s case is set for an arraignment and everyone in Alexandria is advised of his or her right to an attorney if you are charged with Reckless Driving.
Restricted Licenses Are Not Automatic And Many Times Not Granted On Reckless Driving Charges
If your reckless driving case in Alexandria, warrants a license suspension, a restricted license must be requested from the Court. To do so, you must fill out an application (Form DC-263 – Application for Restricted License). However, just because you are prepared to request one, does not mean the judge will grant it. And even if the judge grants it, listen closely to what he grants. Many times, Judges in Alexandria will not grant a restricted license on Reckless Driving charges because the speeds or other factors involved in your case. This is simply because they feel the case was severe enough to warrant no driving privileges.
HIRE A LAWYER
In Alexandria, there is no better advice to give for a Reckless Driving charge than hire a lawyer. There are only two judges that regularly preside over matters in Alexandria Traffic Court. Their personalities are quite different from one another and outcomes can vary depending on which one hears your case. A common saying in the legal community is that reasonable minds can, and often do, differ. Never is this saying more true than amongst the Judges in Alexandria regarding their opinions as to the appropriate punishment on a Reckless Driving case. Punishments can vary immensely between cases. Factors judges consider are speed at the time of the offense, weather conditions, traffic conditions, time of day, driving record, etc. Minor differences in any one of these factors could change a case from being one where just a fine is appropriate to one where jail is possible. Do not take the risk – a reckless driving lawyer can help.
As a former prosecutor in two Northern Virginia jurisdictions, I have handled hundreds of these cases and can many times opine regarding the anticipated outcome of a Reckless Driving case depending on the facts and circumstances peculiar to your situation. I offer free telephone consultations for Reckless Driving cases in Alexandria. Call Today!
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