Fairfax Excessive Speeding Lawyer

A Fairfax excessive speeding lawyer provides legal representation if you have been cited for speeding or have been charged with a traffic crime. In Virginia, it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit or to drive too quickly for road conditions. Excessive sped can not only lead to fines and demerit points on your license but, in some cases, can result in criminal charges.

Whether you are cited for a traffic violation or charged with a misdemeanor crime, it is a smart choice to get legal advice on how to respond to the accusations against you. A Fairfax traffic lawyer with experience representing clients in excessive speed cases can represent you as you resolve the case against you.

How a Fairfax Excessive Speeding Lawyer Can Help

Many drivers do not know that going too fast crosses the line into reckless driving. You deserve to defend yourself if you have been charged with this serious offense. A Fairfax excessive speeding lawyer can help you to raise defenses, including disputing whether you were actually going as fast as police claim. If you were charged based on going too fast for road conditions, this can be a difficult case for the prosecutor to prove because the question of how fast is too fast is a subjective one.

If you want to avoid taking a chance on a guilty verdict in court, your attorney can also help you to explore the option of a plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement. To learn more about how to respond to charges or for help with your excessive speeding case, contact a Fairfax excessive speeding attorney today.

Speeding Laws in Fairfax, Virginia

Virginia has a number of different laws limiting the speed at which motorists may drive.

• Virginia Code Section 46.2-873  sets a maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour in school zones. Exceeding the speed limit school zone is a traffic infraction that can result in a fine up to $250 in addition to other penalties provided by law.
• Code Section 46.2-878.1 establishes penalties for violating a speed limit set for a construction zone when workers are present. This offense is also a traffic infraction, with a potential fine of $500.
• Code Section 46.2-878.2 makes it a traffic infraction to exceed maximum speed limits in residence districts. For this traffic infraction, you can be fined up to $200 in addition to other penalties provided by law. The court could also order 20 hours of community service instead of a fine.

For a traffic infraction, you typically have a choice between simply paying the fine or appearing in court to defend yourself. If you miss court, you most likely will be found guilty in your absence. If you pay a traffic fine, this is an admission of guilt so demerit points are assessed on your license and you will face higher insurance costs.  Before paying a fine, it is a good idea to talk to an excessive speeding lawyer in Fairfax who can help you to explore options for keeping your driving record clean.

In some situations, your violation of traffic laws will require you to appear in court, and can lead to more serious consequences than just a fine. Excessive speed may be one of those situations.

Excessive Speed Laws in Virginia

Excessive speed can cross the line into reckless driving, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor:

• Virginia Code Section 46.2-862 indicates that you may be found guilty of reckless driving if you drive 20 MPH or more over the applicable maximum speed limit or if you are going 80 MPH or faster, regardless of the posted limit.
• Virginia Code Section 46.2-861 indicates you can be found guilty of reckless driving for exceeding a reasonable speed based on the current driving conditions, regardless of what the posted speed limit is.
• Code Section 46.2-868 imposes a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for reckless driving. If you were using an electronic device such as a cellular telephone at the time when you were speeding, you face a fine of $250 in addition to other penalties.

Reckless driving also results in six demerit points on your license and a possible 90-day license suspension.  The conviction for reckless driving remains on your record for 11 years.

Work with a Fairfax Defense Attorney

If your job or lifestyle depends on a clean criminal record, it’s important to carefully consider your legal options when charged with reckless driving or speeding. The Fairfax reckless driving and speeding lawyers at our firm have experience working with many different types of cases, including those that place government security clearances at risk. Call our firm today to learn more.