Life is precious, and there is no chance to come back once you surrender in front of it. Reckless driving is nothing less than inviting such situation. It is recommended to drive at normal speed and as per the traffic situation. Putting your life in danger while driving recklessly will put the life of others in danger equally. Also, driving recklessly in Virginia can land you in big problems. So, it is always suggested to drive safely and keep the vehicle in control. But, if you have committed a reckless driving crime then be ready to get shocked because you might not have thought about such penalties.
Reckless Driving Penalties and Punishments
- 46.2-862. Exceeding speed limit:
“A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth (i) at a speed of twenty miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit or (ii) in excess of eighty miles per hour regardless of the applicable maximum speed limit.”
Mentioning the law regarding speed because it is the most common law broken in Virginia after the general reckless driving law. Starting from the highest and harshest penalties after committing reckless driving crime are;
- Six (6) DMV points
- $2,500 fine
- Six months driver’s license suspension
- 12 months jail time
If you have committed the crime for the first time in your life and seeking a lenient perspective in your case from the court, then you are mistaken. In reckless driving, where other’s lives are involved too, the court doesn’t put any lenient eye on anyone, and there will not be any leniency nor any probation before judgment. In a few other states, there are cases which are treated like that, but in Virginia, the court is very strict. You will give full scope and focus to the penalties even though it is going to be your first offense so set your sights accordingly and be ready to hire a lawyer for your case. If you are going to face imprisonment or let’s say the court is going to announce jail time for you and you haven’t hired any lawyer yet; then the court will appoint you an attorney for your case to prove your innocence or to lower your imprisonment. Senior attorneys say that this is the way where the court of Virginia shows leniency and gives you enough leverage to keep your case in your favor even after committing a crime.
Alongside the mentioned four penalties above, there is another penalty which is a criminal record. It is a long-lasting crime and will always be there till your last breath. The personal consequences of criminal record besides the social stigma are; your permanent criminal conviction will always be there when you look for employment, housing, education or even when you are seeking a financial loan.