If you are living in the state of Virginia and own or operate a car, then you are bound by certain rules and regulations of the road. These rules and regulations were put in place to keep drivers and everyone else safe. Although it is incredibly important for drivers to practice safe driving techniques, it is also important for drivers to drive in vehicles that provide adequate safety to the driver and passengers, as well as all other drivers on the road.
Call a reckless driving lawyer in Virginia if you have been charged with reckless driving by unsafe vehicle. The experienced local attorneys at our firm can hear the details of your case and explain your options for defense. Your initial consultation is completely free of charge.
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, individuals can be pulled over by a law enforcement officer if their vehicle exhibits any of the following defects, making it unsafe to drive:
If you drive while your car or other motor vehicle has a defect and is unsafe to drive, then you could be charged with reckless driving, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by serious fines and potential jail time.
If you are stopped by an officer of the law and charged with driving an unsafe vehicle on a highway, then it is highly likely that you will be unable to drive on the highway again until the necessary repairs have been made.
Under Virginia Code Section 46.2-1001, you have two hours after you have been stopped to repair your car or other motor vehicle. If it is free of defects within two hours, then it will be given a sticker indicating so, valid for 90 days, and allowed back on the highway. If it is not free of defects within two hours, then it will be placed out of service.
However, sometimes it is impossible to have your car or other motor vehicle repaired in time, especially if it requires special attention that could take more than two hours, but rather two or three weeks. Suddenly, you have a pile of problems that could keep growing if not fixed, including criminal charges and a car you cannot drive.
Once in court, the officer who stopped you will testify against you, and the prosecution will use his or her testimony in an attempt to prove that you were driving recklessly by driving an unsafe vehicle.
One of the biggest benefits of working with an experienced reckless driving attorney is having someone who knows the dos and don’ts of a strong defense on your side. Throughout the legal process, he or she can assess both the strengths and weaknesses of your case in order to identify a solution that works in your favor. This can include using one of a number of defenses available to drivers under the law.
For example, if it can be demonstrated that the officer who stopped you did not have proper cause to do so or if it can be shown that you vehicle was not, in fact, dangerous or defective at the time of the stop, then your charges may be reduced or dismissed.
When you’re facing reckless driving charges for operating an unsafe vehicle, it may feel like you do not have options. By speaking with a reckless driving attorney in Virginia, you can learn about your options for fighting against these serious criminal charges. Call our law offices today.
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