Manassas Speeding Lawyer 

Speeding is one of the most common traffic infractions. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 12% of all drivers were pulled over for a traffic stop in 2011. If you have received a speeding ticket, rest assured that you are not alone. The key to fighting a speeding offense is to understand the charge and plan a viable defense strategy.

A knowledgeable and aggressive Manassas speeding lawyer can help reduce your ticket and get the best possible outcome. Contact an experienced attorney today.

What To Do If Pulled Over

When drivers see the flashing lights of a police vehicle, it is not unusual to panic. Many people are confused, embarrassed, or alarmed to be pulled over. If an individual thinks the stop is unjustified, arguing with the police officer is not the appropriate course of action. Rather, the steps below should be considered:

• Remain calm
• Pull off to the side of the road where safe, using a turning indicator to signal compliance to the officer
• Obtain driver’s license, registration, and insurance identification card
• Turn the radio off
• Open the window
• Turn the car off
• Place hands on steering wheel
• Speak respectfully to the officer
• Respond politely to the officer’s questions or invoke the right to silence in a courteous manner
• Comply with the officer’s demands, even if the officer asks the driver to step out of the vehicle. Although not customary, an individual could be placed under arrest for even a traffic infraction. Whether or not this is legal is a matter to be discussed in a court of law, not during the traffic stop

When the traffic stop is complete, document everything that happened, including words spoken, the time, location, officer’s name, and other details. This information may be difficult to recall at a later date, but may prove paramount in creating a successful legal defense.

How a Speeding Ticket Affects Drivers

Speeding in Virginia is prohibited under Virginia Code §46.2-861. Consequences for speeding tickets vary between drivers. A driver with no prior traffic infraction conviction may not be as affected as a driver with several prior infractions. An individual that has received a speeding ticket should:

• Consider past driving infractions – obtaining a driving abstract or other document detailing past convictions or infractions may be necessary to determine the seriousness of the current ticket or summons. Virginia utilizes a demerit point system that could result in license suspension if the requisite number of points are received
• Read the traffic ticket carefully – it is important to pay attention to the county where the ticket was issued, as well as the time, speed, and other identifying information. An incorrect ticket could be exposed in court. On another note, it is critical to know the exact charge. Some drivers think they have received a speeding ticket when they were actually given a ticket for a more serious offense such as reckless driving. A reckless driving ticket might simply read “RD” on a ticket, but this offense is much more serious in that it is considered a misdemeanor and must be responded to in a diligent and timely manner. Similarly, racing on a highway, exceeding the speed limit, and aggressive driving is other misdemeanors that could result from a traffic stop
• Contact a local traffic attorney to discuss options – an attorney can help make sense of the charge, the possible consequences, and available defenses. While some tickets may not be reduced, a traffic lawyer in Manassas may be able to try the case to have the charge dismissed, or negotiate a plea deal that results in a better outcome than pleading guilty

Contact a Manassas Speeding Lawyer Today

Receiving a ticket for a moving violation is often a time-sensitive matter. If you have received a summons or speeding ticket in Virginia, contact a traffic defense attorney today. An attorney can often assist with reducing fines, negotiating plea deals, and expediting the hearing process. Call a Manassas speeding lawyer for a consultation today.