Arlington, VA Reckless Driving Defense Lawyers

Experienced Attorneys Representing Clients Accused of Reckless Driving in Arlington

A charge of reckless driving can come with greater consequences than you might expect. In addition to the suspension of your driving privileges, a conviction of reckless driving could mean heavy fines, jail time, and a black mark on your criminal record. If you have been accused of this offense, an Arlington reckless driving defense lawyer can advise you of what to do.

The best thing you can do when faced with criminal charges is to turn to a knowledgeable law firm. At Salvado Law Offices, our attorneys have decades of shared experience, so you can rely on us to provide you with strong legal guidance and aggressive advocacy during your case.

Common Examples of Reckless Driving

Reckless driving refers to operating a motor vehicle with a blatant disregard for the safety of people or property. In Virginia, such conduct goes well beyond ordinary traffic infractions and can have serious legal consequences. Below are a few common ways drivers cross the line into recklessness:

• Excessive speeding, such as traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the posted limit or over 85 mph in any zone
• Weaving rapidly through congested lanes without signaling or checking blind spots
• Racing another vehicle on public roads or drag racing
• Passing vehicles in no-passing zones or too close to intersections and crosswalks
• Ignoring traffic signals or stop signs in a manner that endangers others

A reckless driving charge can stem from just one dangerously executed maneuver or a pattern of unsafe actions. Even if you have maintained a clean driving record, you could still face criminal penalties for reckless driving.

How Serious Is a Reckless Driving Charge in Virginia?

In most instances, reckless driving is prosecuted as a Class 1 misdemeanor. A conviction can carry up to 12 months in jail and fines of up to $2,500. Even if you avoid incarceration, judges can impose probation with conditions such as community service, mandatory driver improvement courses, or regular reporting to a probation officer.

If you drive recklessly while your license is suspended or revoked for a prior moving violation and that recklessness causes someone's death, you will be charged with a Class 6 felony rather than a misdemeanor. A conviction for a Class 6 felony carries far harsher penalties, including one to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500.

Possible Defenses Against a Reckless Driving Charge

Effective defense strategies begin with a close examination of how law enforcement initiated the traffic stop. Officers must have had reasonable suspicion before pulling you over, and probable cause before concluding that your driving met the standard for recklessness. If the initial stop lacked proper justification, any evidence gathered afterward may be suppressed.

Challenging the accuracy of speed-measuring devices is another common tactic. Whether the officer relied on radar, LIDAR, pacing, or another method, calibration and maintenance records can reveal equipment errors that undermine the prosecution's speed readings.

Other defenses may include testimony from independent witnesses or video evidence from dash cameras that contradict the officer's version of events. In cases where the roadway conditions or signage were unclear, reconstruction analysis can show that your actions, while regrettable, did not meet the threshold for criminal recklessness.

At Salvado Law Offices, we provide strong defense against reckless driving charges, working to safeguard your driving privileges and protect your future.