Goochland

A Virginia traffic charge or criminal case can have serious consequences on your life, if not handled aggressively. Apart from legal penalties, a conviction from a criminal case leaves you with a permanent criminal record. On top of that, there is the social stigma. As you can see, the consequences of a conviction go beyond the legal penalties. At Joyner PLLC law firm, we are here to provide you with the best legal representation. Some of our practice areas include:

Speeding Tickets

Speeding tickets are a daily occurrence on the roads of Virginia. Most people consider it as an inconvenience, once they have been pulled over by traffic police. Some would opt to pre-pay the fine and continue with their journey. Although that can appear as the most reasonable thing to do at the moment, it might prove costly later on. Most people fail to understand that pre-paying a speeding ticket in Goochland County is equivalent to guilt admission. According to traffic laws in Virginia, those guilty of basic speeding can receive demerit points against their driving record. Such a record will remain for at least 11 years. If you accumulate such charges within a certain time frame, then your driver’s license may be suspended for at least six months. As you can see, there is a danger of pre-paying the fine. Once you have been received a speeding ticket, the most appropriate thing to do is to consult Goochland County, VA lawyers, so that they can guide you on the most appropriate thing to do. Our attorneys will assess the facts presented in your case. We will then pursue the best legal action, to have your charges dismissed or reduced. Our work is to ensure your rights are protected throughout the trial and secure the most favorable outcome in your case depending on the circumstances.

Reckless Driving

In Goochland County, Virginia, understanding your rights and the law plays an integral part when facing reckless driving charges. In Virginia, speeding at 20 mph above the posted speed limit or driving at 80 mph regardless of the allowed speed limit amounts to reckless driving. Contrary to what many motorists believe, reckless driving in Virginia is a criminal charge. It is not a standard traffic infraction. Therefore, if you are found guilty of this offense, then you may end up with a permanent criminal record.

Working with skilled Goochland County VA lawyers gives you a better chance of having the charges reduced or dismissed. Most reckless driving charges in Goochland County are related to speed. In fact, a huge percentage of reckless driving offenders are charged due to over speeding. However, any form of driving behavior that endangers life, limb or property in Virginia is also considered as reckless driving. Therefore, things such as drag racing, weaving in and out of traffic, driving a vehicle with an obstructed view, passing a stopped school bus, failing to give way to an emergency vehicle and driving an overloaded vehicle can all lead to reckless driving charges. If found guilty of reckless driving, the penalties include a fine of up $2,500, a jail term of up to 12 months, and loss or suspension of driving privileges. If you have been charged with reckless driving, our Goochland County VA reckless driving lawyers can help you with the case.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous. It puts at risk the driver, the occupants in the vehicle, as well as other road users. Therefore, the authorities in Virginia are very strict when it comes to DUI or DWI, due to the rising number of accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. However, regardless of the circumstances that led to your arrest, as well as the police allegations, you have rights under the law that must be protected. Experienced Goochland County VA lawyers will ensure your rights are protected when you have been arrested and charged with DUI. In Virginia, you can be charged with DUI if your BAC level is 0.08 or higher. However, the officer must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and your actions resulted in an accident. DUI is a Class I misdemeanor offense. Therefore, if you are found guilty of this charge, then you can face fines of up $2,500, potential jail term, or loss of driving privileges. A DUI conviction also comes with a permanent criminal record. If your actions resulted in the death of another individual, then your charges escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony. If you have been charged with DUI in Goochland County, VA, you have the right to legal representation. Contact our experienced DUI attorneys immediately.

Criminal Cases

You don’t necessarily have to be a criminal to face criminal charges. In some situations, you are just a victim of circumstances. For example, your vehicle’s brakes may fail, and you end up facing reckless driving charges, which are considered as criminal in Virginia. Also, you can be caught up in a crime scene and end up being charged with something you didn’t do. Whichever the case, criminal cases have serious consequences, especially if found guilty. In Virginia, criminal cases are divided into misdemeanor and felony. Misdemeanors are offenses such as assault, DUI, reckless driving, and theft. The penalties for misdemeanor offenses include up to 12 months in jail, heavy fines, and loss of driving privileges if you are a driver. Felonies, on the other hand, are more severe. A conviction on a felony charge can lead up to 5 years in prison, not mentioning the heavy fines. You will also end up with a permanent criminal record, whether you have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor case. You cannot afford to go for a criminal case trial alone, without legal representation, owing to the severe penalties that come with conviction. If you have been charged, you have been arrested, or you are being investigated about a criminal case, contact our attorneys today.

Contact Us Today

You shouldn’t allow a criminal case or a traffic violation to give you sleepless nights. With the help of our experienced lawyers, we will fight the charges you are facing and aim towards a positive case resolution. We will examine your case so that we can build a strong defense, to counter the evidence presented in court. If you have any questions related to any case you are facing, contact our office today.