Speeding offenses are among the most common types of traffic violations in Virginia. However, most people fail to understand that a conviction resulting from speeding comes with serious consequences, including the possibility of spending time in jail. Furthermore, you can be charged with reckless driving by speeding, which comes with a permanent criminal record. The good news is that a speeding ticket attorney can help you in such a situation. Once you have been cited for speeding, you need to consult a local, knowledgeable, and experienced traffic attorney as soon as possible. Experienced Emporia VA speeding ticket attorneys will explain the charges that you are facing, as well as the possible consequences. Therefore, if you find yourself in such a situation, don’t hesitate. Talk to a local traffic lawyer immediately.
Speeding Offenses in Virginia
In Virginia, you can be charged with general speeding as well as reckless driving. The severity of the penalties will, therefore, depend on the violation. Most drivers charged with general speeding assume it is easier to pay the fine instead of facing the charges in court. Most assume that going to court is a waste of time and resources. However, once you pre-pay a speeding ticket in Virginia, you are simply admitting that you committed the offense. You however fail to understand that this conviction will remain on your driver’s record for many years.
The Virginia Highway Code has put in place maximum speeds that you must adhere to when driving on certain roadways. Therefore, once you exceed those limits, then you are violating traffic offenses, and you can end up with speeding tickets. Some of these areas include highway zone marks, residential areas, school zones, as well as school crossings. You can also receive a ticket for driving too slowly. If you are driving so slowly that your vehicle impedes the reasonable and normal movement of traffic on a certain highway, then you can receive a traffic ticket. However, this provision does not apply when you are driving slowly due to dangerous conditions. Police officers use various methods to measure your driving speed. For example, they can use LiDAR, RADAR, or even pacing. Police officers must ensure their speed measuring equipment is in perfect working condition and calibrated according to the law. A skilled Emporia VA speeding ticket attorney can evaluate whether the equipment used at the time of the citation complied with the laid down procedures.
Penalties for Speeding in Joyner Virginia
The penalties for speeding in Virginia depend on the nature of the offense. If you mail your ticket and decide not to proceed to court, then you will have to pay an additional $51 in court costs, on top of the fine. The fines applied are based on each mile exceeded the posted speed limit. However, if you received the ticket in a Highway Safety Corridor, then you will receive double fines. If you proceed to court instead of pre-paying the fine, then you will receive a fine amount in the range of $0 to $250, as well as additional $61 to cover court costs. Failing to appear in court without pre-paying the fine will cost you an additional $35, on top of all the other applicable fines. For general speeding, you will be charged $6 for every mph you have exceeded. However, speeding in certain areas comes with increased fines. For example, if you are caught speeding in a highway work zone or a school crossing, then the fine increases to $7 for every mph exceeded. Speeding in certain residential zones attracts a fine of $200 as well as an additional $8 for every mph exceeded.
Apart from fines, convictions of speeding tickets in Virginia can earn you DMV demerit points. The number of DMV points applied depends on your speed as well as your driver’s record. For example, if you are caught speeding at 1-9 mph over the posted speed limit, then you receive three demerit points. Speeding at 10-19 mph over the allowed speed limit will result in 4 demerit points while speeding at more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit will earn you six demerit points. Furthermore, this conviction will stay on your driver’s record for at least five years.
You can also be charged with reckless driving by speeding. Unlike minor speeding offenses, reckless driving by speeding comes with grave consequences. Depending on the extent of your case, you might spend up to 12 months in jail or receive a fine of up to $2,500. Also, a conviction of reckless driving by speeding is considered a criminal case. It will, therefore, earn you a permanent criminal record, which can affect various opportunities such as housing, education and loan application, among others.
Why Joyner PLLC
At Joyner PLLC, it is our firm belief that everyone deserves a fair hearing, regardless of the offense. Once you have received a speeding ticket, don’t rush to pre-pay the fine. You first need to explore the available options and then make the most appropriate choice going forward, and that is where we come in. Once you reach out to us, we will evaluate the circumstance of the case and then advise you on the course of action to take. If the case proceeds to court, then we will ensure that you receive a fair hearing. We aim to ensure you get the least possible penalty. As local traffic attorneys, we have handled hundreds of cases touching on speeding tickets before. Although we don’t make any assurances regarding the outcome of any case, you can always rely on our expertise, experience, and professionalism, to get the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact us Today
The advantage of consulting a seasoned Virginia speeding ticket attorney is that you will be working with somebody with the skills and experience to navigate the legal process. Your lawyer will explain to you the charges you are facing, as well as the potential penalties both short term and long term. Your lawyer will also explore the options available, and offer advice accordingly. Most people make the mistake of assuming that a speeding ticket will just go away with time, once they have pre-paid the fine. However, such a move comes with serious consequences, which might be even greater than the inconvenience of being pulled over. You can avoid all these consequences by having a speeding ticket attorney by your side. Whenever you find yourself in this situation, contact us for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.