If you are pulled over in Virginia for traveling more than 80 mph or more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit, you could be charged with reckless driving, which is a class 1 misdemeanor. If you have already been charged with reckless driving or another moving infraction, you might be wondering how long tickets stay on your driving record. The short response is, “it depends,” with the nature of the offense being the most important factor.
If you have been cited for reckless driving, you should consult with an attorney before taking further action. An experienced criminal defense attorney can go over all options available to you and may be able to reduce the charges or penalties. Contact Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. to discuss your case.
A reckless driving conviction will stay on your Virginia driving record for 11 years, according to Virginia law. It is worth noting that the word ‘conviction’ is used, applying a guilty plea after a charge. Driving recklessly is classified as a misdemeanor. Further, if you choose to pay your reckless driving ticket, you are automatically pleading guilty to the charge.
The state of Virginia treats reckless driving very strictly. Consider some of the other violations (all six-point infractions) that take 11 years to be removed from a driver’s record: drunk driving, hit-and-runs, and driving while license is suspended.
In Virginia, reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and if you are convicted, you will have a permanent criminal record. Regrettably, you only have a limited right to have a reckless driving conviction in Virginia removed from your record. The following are the four, limited, circumstances when a reckless driving charge can be expunged:
If your case does not fall into one of these four categories, it is very unlikely that your charges will be removed/expunged from your record before the 11 years have expired.
In any criminal matter, anyone may represent himself, but it is not recommended. The laws governing reckless driving in Virginia are complicated, and if you are convicted, you will face serious consequences.
Virginia traffic defense attorneys can conduct research on your case, engage with government prosecutors, and prepare for trial. In Virginia, your lawyer might be able to negotiate a plea deal for a lesser penalty or traffic offense like Improper Driving. In addition, every case has its own set of factual, constitutional, and procedural difficulties, which, if handled correctly, might help your cause.
Since reckless driving is a criminal violation in Virginia, the penalties and long-term consequences can be severe, including a criminal record. Before paying the ticket, it is in your best interests to talk with a Virginia reckless driving attorney.
Contact our criminal defense attorneys at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. to see how we can help you with your reckless driving charges. If you or a loved one need a Virginia criminal defense attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or call us at 757-742-6115.
