Virginia Beach Reckless Driving Defense Attorney

Trusted Lawyer for Reckless Driving Defense in Virginia Beach

If you have been arrested for reckless driving, you should know that the possible penalties are serious. Aside from the possible loss of your driving privileges, you could face significant jail time and high fines if you are convicted. A Virginia Beach reckless driving defense attorney can go over your case with you and discuss possible legal strategies to protect your freedoms.

Attorney Vincent Castellano of Castellano Law Firm PLLC has prior experience as a public defender, and during that time, he trained with some of Virginia's most skilled defense attorneys. Our firm will provide you with quality, one-on-one service in a reckless driving case, pursuing reduced or dismissed charges.

What Does Virginia Count as Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving in Virginia covers a wider range of conduct than many people expect. It is not limited to extreme or obviously dangerous behavior. Virginia law defines reckless driving broadly, and a number of specific actions can support a charge, including:

• Driving at a speed of 20 miles per hour or more over the posted limit, or driving above 85 miles per hour regardless of the posted limit
• Passing a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading passengers
• Passing two vehicles side by side, or passing at a railroad crossing or intersection
• Driving with faulty or inadequate brakes
• Racing another vehicle on a highway
• Failing to signal properly or yield the right of way in a way that endangers another person
• Driving a vehicle that is loaded or overcrowded in a way that interferes with the driver's control

This list is not exhaustive. Virginia law also allows a reckless driving charge for any conduct that puts people's lives or property in danger. That catch-all provision gives officers significant discretion and means a charge can arise from circumstances that do not fall neatly into a specific category.

What to Expect From a Reckless Driving Charge in Virginia Beach

Reckless driving in Virginia is not a simple traffic infraction. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is the same classification as a first-offense DUI. A conviction can result in up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and a license suspension of up to six months. A conviction also adds six demerit points to a driver's record and stays on the driving record for 11 years.

Certain circumstances can make a charge more serious. Reckless driving that results in the death of another person can be elevated to a Class 6 felony if your license was suspended due to a traffic violation. Driving at extremely high speeds, such as 30 miles per hour or more over the limit, often draws closer scrutiny from prosecutors and judges. A commercial driver convicted of reckless driving may face additional consequences tied to their commercial license and livelihood.

Because reckless driving is a criminal charge rather than a traffic ticket, it carries consequences that extend beyond fines and points. A conviction creates a permanent criminal record, which can affect employment, professional licensing, and other areas of life.

How We Can Defend Against Reckless Driving Charges

The facts behind a reckless driving charge deserve careful examination before any decisions are made. Speed-related charges often rely on radar or lidar equipment, and the calibration records and proper use of that equipment can be questioned. Witness observations, dashcam footage, and the conditions of the road at the time of the stop can all be relevant to how the evidence holds up.

When a charge is based on general dangerous driving rather than a specific act, the case often comes down to what the officer observed and how they interpreted it. Depending on the facts, it may be possible to seek a reduction to a lesser charge, take the case to trial, or identify problems with how the stop or arrest was handled.

Contact a Reckless Driving Defense Lawyer Today

A reckless driving charge in Virginia Beach carries consequences that can follow you for years. At Castellano Law Firm PLLC, our attorney is here to talk through your options. Call us at 757-724-0073 or contact our Virginia Beach, VA reckless driving defense attorney today to arrange a free initial consultation.