Most reckless driving charges in Virginia are based on speeding. If a driver exceeds the posted speed limit by 20 or more miles per hour, or if a driver exceeds 80 miles per hour – without regard to the posted speed limit – that motorist can be charged with reckless driving.

If you are driving in a manner that a police officer believes is reckless, the speed you were driving will not matter. If you are tailgating, failing to use turn signals, running stop signs or traffic signals, intoxicated, texting, or distracted in any other way, your driving could be considered reckless, and you could pay a large fine or face jail time.

Avoid the costly mistakes listed below if you are pulled over for reckless driving in Virginia. Above all, remember that if you’ve been charged with reckless driving, The Law Office of Scott C. Nolan, PLLC can help build a strong case for your defense in order to have your charges dropped or reduced.

Never Admit That You Were Driving Too Fast

The fifth amendment of the United States Constitution protects you from incriminating yourself, accidentally or otherwise. If you have been pulled over by a police officer for reckless driving in Virginia and are being questioned extensively about your actions, you have the right to call a lawyer. Never feel pressured to apologize, or accept fault or responsibility for driving recklessly.

The fifth amendment of the United States Constitution states that no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury. In order to ensure you’re accurately defended and represented, call a lawyer. You have rights, even if you’ve been accused of a crime.

Reckless driving is a criminal offense, which carries more severe penalties than just a ticket, so incriminating yourself on accident could land you in hot water come your day in court.

Never Place The Fault On Anyone Else

While you’re focusing on observing the fifth amendment and not incriminating yourself, you may be tempted to blame other outside forces for your reckless driving. Many motorists will claim they were just driving with the flow of traffic, or claim that they were being tailgated and needed to speed up. You’re not permitted to break the law and drive recklessly just because other cars around you are doing it, and telling an officer that this is the reason you committed the crime, is the same as admitting you committed the crime.

If you were pulled over for reckless driving and found yourself in an argument with a law enforcement officer, you need to hire a sharp criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Hiring an attorney is the best way to protect yourself in court, especially if your charge has become irritated by your behavior. An aggressive defense can help you reduce or drop the charge entirely.

Don’t Blame Cruise Control

Many drivers who have been pulled over for reckless driving mistakenly tell the officer they were driving on cruise control and that is why they were speeding. Cruise control cannot be your alibi. Using cruise control does not absolve you of your responsibilities behind the wheel, as you are still on the hook for monitoring your car’s speed and ensuring the safety of others around you. If you truly do not believe that you were driving as fast as the officer told you you were driving, this is something you need to discuss with a skilled lawyer handling reckless operation cases instead of law enforcement.

Don’t Argue With A Law Enforcement Officer

Never argue with a law enforcement officer after they have pulled you over. In most cases, officers have a certain amount of discretion when it comes to charging an individual with reckless driving. If you lie, are disrespectful, refuse to cooperate, or become argumentative with the officer, this won’t help your case. When your reckless driving case goes to court, the law enforcement officer in question might push for the maximum penalty due to your agitated nature.

The Law Office of Scott C. Nolan, PLLC Is A Skilled Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney Defending Those Arrested For Reckless Driving

The penalties for reckless driving vary, but an accused individual could be facing thousands of dollars in tickets, loss of driving privileges, or even jail time. Without the help of a skilled, hardworking attorney, you run the risk of facing the most severe penalties possible.

Schedule a free initial case evaluation with criminal defense attorney Scott C. Nolan, PLLC if you have been accused of or charged with reckless driving in the state of Virginia.