(Without Speaking to an Attorney First)
You may be able to keep this criminal charge off your record.
It is widely recognized that Virginia has some of the strictest driving laws in the nation, such as it’s criminal reckless driving for speeding over 80 mph, even on highway with a posted speed limit of 70mph. Frequently, people who are pulled over for a traffic offense are shocked to be issued a criminal citation for aggressive driving.
And judges are not inclined to take these charges lightly. It is not a simple traffic ticket. If you are found responsible, you are now a convicted criminal.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t beat the charges. An experienced attorney who is familiar with VA aggressive driving laws, and knows the judges in a given Virginia criminal court can often find a way to get a criminal aggressive driving charge reduced to an “improper driving” civil offense.
Having a clean criminal record is a very big deal for most people. Criminal convictions can cause you no end of difficulty, especially in the error of cheap background checks on the internet.
Find out what we can do to keep a criminal conviction for aggressive driving off your record. Call for a consultation at (888) 205-9314.
What are the Virginia Laws on Aggressive Driving?
You can face an aggressive driving charge for a wide variety of driving behaviors. They include:
- Driving too closely
- Driving on the right side of the road
- Failure to observe lanes marked for traffic
- Failing to give way
- Improper passing
- Evading traffic control devices
And a variety of other variations.
See: VA Aggressive Driving Penalties
Virginia Aggressive Driving Penalties
Aggressive driving is a Class 2 Misdemeanor in Virginia.
For a class 2 misdemeanor, you could face up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1000.
You will also very likely be faced with a period of license suspension for this criminal traffic offense. And of course, points on your license, and increased insurance rates.
In addition, you will likely have to complete an aggressive driving program as a condition of your conviction.
Defense Options for an Aggressive Driving Citation
There is usually a good chance to get an aggressive driving offense reduced to a civil traffic penalty like improper driving.
Many of the reasons a police officer may cite you for aggressive driving are subjective. It is certainly very possible that your supposed aggressive driving was merely the safest possible reaction to the cars around you. For example, if a car in front of you stopped quickly, or was slowing down or driving erratically, you find yourself the one accused of driving too closely.
If we can provide a reasonable alternative explanation for whatever happened, and if you have an otherwise clean driving record, many judges are agreeable to the reduction to improper.
Call for a Free Consultation on a VA Aggressive Driving Ticket
People often wonder if it is worth hiring a lawyer for a charge like this. But even if you don’t care about the criminal charge aspect for some reason, the math usually makes it worthwhile.
Getting the charges reduced to a civil offense, or dropped is very likely going to save you money. Your lawyer fee may well be less than the fines you save, and the increases to your insurance rates you can avoid.
Throw in the fact that you could be saving yourself a suspended drivers license for at least several months, and hiring a lawyer to fight your aggressive driving ticket can be a no brainer.
Please call us for a free consultation on the charges you face. We’ll let you know exactly what we can do to help.
If you are accused of aggressive driving, reckless driving or other traffic offenses in Virginia, call now for a no-obligation, no-risk, free consultation at (888) 205-9314. Find out what an experienced Virginia criminal traffic attorney can do to help fix this legal problem.
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