Leesburg, VA Reckless Driving Defense Attorney

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Maryland 301-565-1655 Virginia 703-576-5005

Free Consultations | Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005

Leesburg Reckless Driving Defense Lawyer

Attorney Defending Against Reckless Driving Charges in Leesburg, VA

Being charged with reckless driving can be an overwhelming and distressing experience that could seriously impact your future. In Virginia, reckless driving is treated as a criminal offense rather than a simple traffic violation. As a result, a reckless driving conviction can carry harsh penalties and additional consequences that could affect you for years afterward. If you are facing charges of reckless driving, you need to understand your rights and legal options.

At Whitlock Law, LLC, our team of knowledgeable traffic defense attorneys has experience providing a focused defense against allegations of reckless driving and other serious offenses. We understand the complexities of Virginia traffic laws, and we are dedicated to finding strategies to help defend against your charges.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

Virginia law defines reckless driving as driving in a way that endangers another person or their property. Examples that could result in charges include:

Driving at least 20 miles per hour above the speed limit.
Driving over 85 miles per hour, regardless of the speed limit.
Not yielding the right of way, driving aggressively, or weaving dangerously between lanes.

Reckless driving is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the potential penalties can include up to 12 months in jail as well as up to $2,500 in fines. Your driver's license can be suspended for up to six months. The conviction can also result in the addition of six demerit points to your driving record, which will remain there for up to 11 years.

There are additional consequences you might face as a result of a reckless driving conviction. For example, the conviction can appear on a background check, which might harm potential education, employment, or housing opportunities. Your insurance rates could also increase.

Factors That May Affect a Reckless Driving Conviction

After being pulled over and charged with reckless driving, several factors can influence how your case will unfold. These can be divided into aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

Aggravating factors can cause you to face harsher penalties than you otherwise might for similar charges. Speeding significantly faster than the posted speed limit, reckless behavior in a school zone or construction area, prior traffic violations or reckless driving convictions, or involvement in previous accidents that resulted in injuries or property damage could elevate the charges and consequences.

On the other hand, mitigating factors have the potential to convince a judge to treat you with more leniency. A lawyer can use your clean driving record with no prior violations, evidence that your driving behavior was influenced by an emergency or a mechanical issue, or proof that you completed a defensive driving course or took steps to improve your driving habits after the incident to argue for a better outcome.

Potential Defenses for Reckless Driving Charges

The attorneys at Whitlock Law, LLC evaluate each case to build a defense strategy that is tailored to a client's situation. Depending on the details of your case, some potential defenses that could apply include:

Necessity or Emergency: Sometimes, a driver may need to speed or maneuver aggressively to avoid harm.
Faulty Speed Measurement Device: Radar guns, LIDAR devices, or speedometers can be used to measure a vehicle's speed. If the equipment is not properly calibrated or maintained, it could record speed inaccurately.
Officer's Subjective Assessment: Like all people, police officers' judgment can sometimes be subjective, but body camera footage, traffic conditions, and witness statements might be able to challenge their observations.

We will carefully review what happened to determine the best way to advocate for dismissed or dropped charges.

Contact a Leesburg, Virginia Reckless Driving Defense Attorney

When you are facing reckless driving charges, you need the guidance that an experienced attorney can provide. Whitlock Law, LLC will examine your case, identify potential defense strategies, and advocate aggressively on your behalf. We understand how serious reckless driving charges can be, and we are dedicated to protecting your rights and helping you achieve the best possible outcome.

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Silver Spring Office

8701 Georgia Ave. Suite 610
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Call 301-565-1655

Bowie Office

16701 Melford Blvd., Suite 400
Bowie, MD 20715

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Frederick Office

5100 Buckeystown Pike # 250
Frederick, MD 21704

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Chesapeake Office

1545 Crossways Blvd., Suite 250
Chesapeake, VA 23320

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Manassas Office

10432 Balls Ford Rd, Suite 300
Manassas, VA 20109

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Glen Allen Office

4870 Sadler Road, Suite 300
Glen Allen, VA 23060

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Leesburg Office

113 E. Market St, Suite 111
Leesburg, VA 20176

Call 703-576-5005

We serve clients throughout Maryland and Virginia, including Rockville, Potomac, Olney, Aspen Hills, Damascus, Hagerstown, Middletown, Bethesda, Germantown, Kensington, Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase, Frederick, Urbana, Clarksburg, Greenbelt, Upper Marlboro, College Park, Beltsville, Largo, Laurel, Columbia, Ellicott City, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Towson, Reisterstown, Essex, Parkville, Randallstown, Linthicum Heights, Baltimore, Annapolis, Crofton, Severna Park, Glen Burnie, Westminster, Sykesville, Arlington, Chesapeake, Newport News, McLean, Herndon, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Reston, Richmond, Suffolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Centreville, Charlottesville, Annandale, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Vienna, Front Royal, Falls Church, Purcellville, Hampton, Portsmouth, Woodbridge, Gainesville, Silver Spring, Langley Park, Riverdale Park, Wheaton, Glenmont, Highlandtown, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Hyattsville, Fairfax, Manassas, Alexandria, Greektown, Bowie, and Norfolk.

Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.