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Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke 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County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|
Leesburg Traffic Defense Lawyers
Attorneys Defending Against Traffic Violations and License Suspensions in Leesburg, Virginia
Traffic violations can lead to significant consequences for Virginia drivers. Depending on the charges against you, you may face court-imposed fines, license suspension, and incarceration and the imposition of DMV points or increased insurance premiums.
Whether you are facing a minor traffic infraction or a serious criminal traffic charge, a knowledgeable attorney can help navigate the legal process and minimize the impact of the charges on your life. Whitlock Law provides skilled legal representation to help clients protect their driving privileges and minimize court and collateral consequences of traffic charges.
Types of Traffic Violations in Virginia
Virginia law covers a wide range of traffic offenses. Whitlock Law defends clients against various types of traffic violations, including:
- Speeding Tickets: Violations of speed limits can result in fines, demerit points, and potential insurance rate increases. Penalties may be higher in cases of excessive speeding or if a person is accused of speeding in a construction or school zone.
- Reckless Driving: This is treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia and is punishable by up to 12 months in jail, up to a $2,500 fine, and a license suspension of up to 6 months. Examples of reckless driving charges can include driving 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, driving above certain speed limits, or driving too fast for conditions or in a manner that endangers others.
- Driving Without a Valid License or Driving With a Suspended License: Operating a vehicle without a valid license or after a driver's license suspension or revocation is treated as a Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor in Virginia depending on the charge. A conviction can result in fines, jail time, and the possibility of your vehicle being impounded.
- Driving Under the Influence of Alchol (DUI): Operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol can lead to criminal charges and other serious consequences. See our DUI page for specific information related to these charges.
- Commercial Vehicle Violations: Drivers of commercial vehicles are held to higher standards, and can face severe penalties for violations such as exceeding weight limits, operating without the proper licensing, or committing traffic infractions while on duty. These violations can impact your ability to work in the transportation industry.
Virginia's Demerit Points System
Virginia uses a points system that can lead to penalties for those who commit multiple traffic violations. When you commit a traffic offense, the Department of Motor Vehicles imposes points to your driving record based on the severity of the violation. Those points stay on your record for varying periods of time depending on the charge. A court can amend charges but cannot prevent the Department of Motor Vehicles from imposing points if the charge you are convicted of carries points.
The points assessed for different violations include:
- Three-Point Violations: Minor infractions, such as speeding by less than 10 miles per hour, improper passing, or failing to obey a traffic sign.
- Four-Point Violations: Moderate offenses, such as speeding by 10 to 19 miles per hour, failure to yield the right of way, tailgating, or failing to obey railroad crossing signals.
- Six-Point Violations: Serious violations, including reckless driving, DUI, manslaughter while operating a vehicle, and driving after your license has been suspended or revoked.
For drivers over the age of 18, multiple traffic violations that result in a large number of demerit points may lead to penalties. After accumulating 12 points in one year or 18 points in two years, a person will be required to attend a driver improvement clinic. 18 points in one year or 24 points in two years will result in a 90-day driver's license suspension, and a driver improvement clinic must be completed before your license will be restored.
Drivers under the age of 18 will face penalties based on the number of violations rather than their total number of demerit points. They will be required to take a driver improvement clinic after committing their first violation. A second violation will lead to a 90-day license suspension. After a third violation, their license will be revoked for one year or until they reach the age of 18.
Contact Our Leesburg Traffic Defense Attorneys
Traffic violations can have a lasting impact on your driving privileges and your future. Whether you are facing a minor infraction or a serious criminal charge, Whitlock Law can provide you with skilled legal representation to help you resolve these issues and maintain a valid driver's license. We will work with you to challenge the basis of a traffic violation, determine whether procedural errors occurred, or negotiate reduced penalties. Our goal is to help you avoid issues that could affect your life, your family, and your finances. Contact us at 703-576-5005 to get in touch with us and set up a free consultation.