Reckless driving is a criminal offense in Virginia. If charged, you can expect to face fines, loss of driving privileges, and even jail time. So, what are the penalties for reckless driving in Virginia?
The penalties for the class 1 misdemeanor are a fine up to $2,500, 6-month license suspension, and up to 12 months in jail. If your driver’s license is issued by a state other than Virginia, your loss of driving privileges could also be picked up by many other states.
Let’s take a closer look at reckless driving penalties and consequences in Virginia.
What is Reckless Driving in Virginia?
Many people are not aware that reckless driving is a criminal offense in VA. If arrested, you will face a criminal charge instead of a simple traffic offense, as in other states. So, let’s define reckless driving in VA.
In Virginia, reckless driving is charged if you exceed the applicable maximum speed limit by 20 miles per hour or more. For example, if you drive 75 mph on a road with a speed limit of 55 mph, you can be charged with reckless driving.
You can also face a reckless driving charge if caught driving over 85 mph. In this case, it doesn’t matter what the posted speed limit is on a particular road. No matter if the limit is 55 mph or 70 mph, as long as you are traveling over 85 mph anywhere in Virginia, you will face charges for reckless driving.
Additionally, driving in a way that endangers the safety of life to you, other people, or private property, regardless of speed, is considered reckless. Even if you are driving below the speed limit, you can be charged with this offense if you are putting yourself, other people, or property at risk.
Some examples of this behavior include driving with faulty or improperly adjusted brakes, driving next to another vehicle on a one-lane road, racing with another vehicle, or illegally passing motor vehicles when approaching a curve in the roadway, at a highway intersection, or a railroad crossing, to name a few.
Reckless Driving Vs. Speeding in Virginia
Reckless driving and speeding may seem similar, but there are significant differences between them, and they carry very different consequences. Of course, reckless driving is a more serious Class 1 Misdemeanor offense.
| Reckless Driving | Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|
| Class 1 Misdemeanor | Traffic Infraction |
| Fine – Maximum $2,500 | Fine – Maximum $250 |
| Jail Time – up to 12 months | Jail Time – None |
| 6 points on license (max) | Up to 4 points on license |
| Will remain on your Criminal record permanently | An infraction will fall off your driving record after a few years |
| Must Appear in Court (or have a Lawyer appear for you) | Not Required to Appear in Court. Fine, and plea may be mailed. |
Speeding is a traffic infraction, and it doesn’t carry jail time. Also, under most circumstances, speeding carries a maximum penalty of $250.
Speeding is a traffic infraction, and it doesn’t carry jail time. Also, under most circumstances, speeding carries a maximum penalty of $250.
Another difference is that reckless driving carries a maximum of 6 demerit points, whereas a speeding ticket carries as little as three demerit points. Finally, when facing a reckless charge, you are required to appear in court, whereas, in the case of speeding, you are not required to appear and can simply prepay your ticket.
Reckless Driving Consequences
The consequences of reckless driving may vary based on circumstance. However, you can expect the following:
Potential Jail Time
First-time offenders likely will not see jail time. If you’ve had repeat reckless convictions, poor driving records, or you were driving at a speed of more than 100 miles per hour, the likelihood of jail time increases significantly.
When reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor, you face a 12-month jail sentence, and when it is a class 6 felony, you can face a sentence of having to spend up to 5 years in jail.
License Suspension
If you are convicted of reckless driving, it doesn’t mean that you will get a license suspension, but the faster your speed or, the more reckless your behavior, the greater the chances of additional penalties.
A first-time reckless driving offense in Virginia may include a driver’s license suspension for a maximum of six months. Of course, traveling at excessive speeds over 95-100 mph is more likely to result in a suspended license compared to driving at lower speeds.
To get your license back, it is necessary to comply with the conditions set forth by the judge, which may even include completing a driver education clinic. Also, you need to pay the DMV reinstatement fee and provide proof of car insurance.
Even if your license is suspended, the judge may give you a restricted license for specific purposes, such as going to work, attending school, and going to the doctor.
Fines
In most cases, you will be required to pay fines for reckless driving. The actual fine you will receive can vary greatly. The exact amount depends on a variety of factors, including your driving record, speed, the local court policy, and more.
The maximum fine you may face for a class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia law is $2,500.
Fortunately, the maximum fine isn’t used very often. A judge determines the exact fine amount depending on the circumstances of your case and other factors. In most cases, drivers facing a reckless driving offense end up having to pay between $500 and $1,000.
Driving Record Points
Another potential penalty for reckless driving is receiving demerit points. In Virginia, the DMV can put up to 6 points on your driver’s license if you are convicted of this criminal offense.
Other Consequences of Reckless Driving
Besides the penalties mentioned above, there are other consequences you may be facing if you are convicted of reckless driving. One of the major concerns is insurance premiums. Although every insurance company has its own criteria for setting the rates, it is very likely that your auto insurance rates will go up if you have a record of reckless driving. Here are some regulations governing insurance premium costs:
If a reckless driving conviction involved property damage or injuries over a specific amount, the insurance rate increase could be significant. In addition to this, an insurance company can consider the driver’s age, how long they’ve been with them, and their driving record. If the driver is inexperienced or new, the insurance rate increase might be greater than for an older driver. Certain insurance companies add a point to their system if the driver is inexperienced or young.
If you apply for a security clearance, you will need to disclose your driving conviction, as it will come up in your background check anyway. Also, if you must drive a vehicle on company insurance, you may lose your job as a result of a conviction. Finally, depending on the circumstances of your charge, a conviction or a guilty plea will result in having a misdemeanor criminal record.
Reckless Driving Charges FAQs
Do You Have to go to Court for a Reckless Driving Ticket in Virginia?
Being a misdemeanor charge, drivers by default have to show up in court. Also, prepaying a reckless driving charge isn’t an option.
Virginia tickets feature a box below your signature that states you can avoid going to court if the box is checked and you adhere to every instruction on your copy. Usually, this box isn’t checked, and law enforcement officers strike through the text for good measure.
But depending on your case and local court, your Virginia traffic lawyer can show up in your place. This arrangement saves out-of-state drivers travel expenses and time. For Virginia drivers, the arrangement can save you from missing a day’s work.
Who Hears Reckless Driving Cases?
Your first reckless driving case will be held in the General District Court. In General District Courts, jury trials aren’t an option; instead, you are heard by a judge. The judge determines if you are guilty and your sentence.
If you are unhappy with the verdict of your bench trial, you can appeal to a different judge in Circuit Court.
What is the Virginia Driver Improvement Program in Virginia?
It’s a set of courses that drivers in Virginia take to learn and improve their driving and points. Completing the program earns drivers 5 safe points and going a whole year without traffic violations earns you one safe point.
How Long Does a Reckless Driving Charge Stay on An Adult’s Record?
Adults in Virginia have a criminal record and a DMV record. Reckless driving convictions remain on the DMV record for 11 years only, but they are permanent on the criminal record.
How Long Do Reckless Driving Convictions Remain on a Juvenile Record?
A juvenile record is treated differently than an adult record. A juvenile criminal record isn’t accessible to the general public, but law enforcement in Virginia and government agencies have access. If you are convicted as a juvenile, the conviction record is automatically expunged when you turn 19, but only if it has been five years after sentencing.
Usually, whether the record is destroyed or sealed doesn’t really help most drivers. The concern is reporting the conviction on any application they send. Unfortunately, even after a juvenile record is expunged, one must fill out applications honestly when asked about prior reckless driving convictions.
When Can a Reckless Driving Conviction be Expunged?
Though reckless driving convictions are permanent on criminal records and difficult to have expunged in Virginia, there are circumstances when it’s possible.
- Acquittal – If you got acquitted of your reckless driving charge, you can get the acquittal or arrest removed from your record.
- No Prosecution – If the prosecutor didn’t prosecute your reckless driving case, you can request for your records to be expunged.
- Dismissed – If your reckless driving charges were dismissed because of insufficient evidence and you didn’t plead guilty, your records can be expunged.
- Amended Charges – If a court finds you guilty of an amended charge that isn’t a lesser included offense, you can get the original charge expunged.
Can I Appeal a Reckless Driving Conviction?
If a judge finds you guilty of reckless driving, you can file for an appeal, which will get you a new trial and a different judge. Usually, appeals result in reduced charges or acquittal. You have ten days after sentencing to appeal. You initiate an appeal by notifying the court clerk of your intentions to appeal and filing a Notice of Appeal form.
The appeal trial is similar to the original case, but you can have a jury trial. However, consider this choice carefully because you’ll pay jury court costs if found guilty.
Can You Appeal After Pleading Guilty To Reckless Driving?
Generally, drivers who pled guilty to reckless driving cannot appeal if they change their minds. Given that reckless driving in Virginia is a criminal offense, we advise against pleading guilty.
When Should You Report to Jail After a Reckless Driving Conviction?
When sentenced to jail, the judge can allow you up to 3 weeks of delayed reporting. However, this leeway varies between courts.
Is Signing a Reckless Driving Ticket Admission of Guilt?
Although a police officer can arrest you for reckless driving, they often don’t. Instead, they ask you to sign a summons as a promise that you’ll show up in court – it doesn’t mean you are pleading guilty. If you choose to miss court, you can be arrested and taken to court to explain yourself.
On the other hand, refusing to sign might mean you have no intention of showing up for court hearings. As such, the officer may arrest you and book you at the police station.
What happens if the officer doesn’t show up to court?
Contrary to common belief, reckless driving cases aren’t dismissed when the officer doesn’t appear in court. On the first court date, the case will be continued to the next date the officer is available. However, if the officer misses the third or fourth court date, the court will consider dismissing the case. But this is a rare case.
Do Out-of-State Drivers Suffer the Same Consequences for Reckless Driving?
Yes. Virginia reckless driving penalties are for both Virginia and out-of-state drivers. While the penalties apply, demerit points and license suspension are reported and left for the home state to decide on the best course of action, depending on their policies. If an out-of-state driver is found driving in Virginia after their driving privileges were revoked, they could get additional jail time, fines, or both.
Contact Keefer Law Firm
Contact an experienced reckless driving lawyer when facing the life-altering consequences of reckless driving in Virginia. Keefer Law Firm has over 40 years of experience dealing with Virginia courts and prosecutors. Attorney Bob Keefer of Keefer Law Firm knows the VA legal system. His knowledge could lead you to reduced charges, fines, and consequences. Call Bob today (540) 433-6906. Your future may depend on it!
