Do I Need a Fairfax Reckless Driving Attorney?

Reckless driving in Fairfax county comes with a slew of costly fines and severe penalties, yet many people fail to seek much-needed help from a lawyer because they are unsure whether it will benefit them or because they are worried about the expense. In reality, a reckless driving charge can have serious consequences for your life, your career, and your bank account, and often a Fairfax reckless driving lawyer can help. If you have been charged with reckless driving, get in touch with S&R Law Firm, PLLC. We offer free case reviews and can help you better understand your rights and tell you how we can help with your specific circumstances.

Understanding the Seriousness of a Reckless Driving Charge

Many people brush off a reckless driving charge, equating it with a simple traffic ticket, but this is far from the truth. A reckless driving charge is a class 1 misdemeanor: Virginia’s most serious misdemeanor offense. All misdemeanors carry penalties of up to a six-month driver’s license suspension, up to 12 months in jail, and up to $2500 in fines.

In addition to these difficulties, a reckless driving conviction becomes a permanent part of your criminal record, as criminal convictions cannot be expunged under Virginia law. Unless the charge is dropped or dismissed, it will remain on your record for life. Often this makes finding employment or getting into college or the military difficult or even impossible.

The best way to ensure that a reckless driving conviction doesn’t make its way onto your record in the first place is to start working with a reckless driving attorney serving Fairfax as soon as possible after you are charged. An experienced attorney can often get the charges reduced or even dropped, especially if there are extenuating circumstances or your driving record is otherwise clean. To find out if we can help, get in touch with S&R Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation.

Should I Represent Myself in Court?

If you are facing a reckless driving conviction, it is almost never a good idea to go to court alone. Even seemingly small tasks like submitting paperwork on time and ensuring that it is correct can be difficult without a lawyer.

A good attorney will have a thorough understanding of how the court system works, as well as knowledge of area judges, which can help them determine the right approach for your defense. In addition, without legal knowledge, courtroom proceedings can be extremely challenging. Many people want to know: should I plead not guilty to reckless driving? Deciding that a lawyer is too expensive, they arrive in court prepared to defend themselves, only to realize that without a thorough understanding the law, it is extremely difficult to follow what is happening in court. Each day in Fairfax traffic court, judges see hundreds of cases in just a few hours. If you do not have representation, it can hard to keep up with fast-moving proceedings, much less properly represent yourself. Having a Fairfax reckless driving attorney on your side can mean the difference between a good outcome and a poor one.

How an Attorney Can Help

While people often worry about the cost of a lawyer, it is important to note that reckless driving charges themselves are incredibly costly; some cases will cost up to $4000 or more by the time they are over, not to mention additional insurance premiums that last for several years. If you have a job where you drive a company vehicle, this can also spell trouble for your current or future employment, as carrying high-risk insurance will be too expensive for most employers and they will find a way to avoid hiring you. One of the best ways to potentially avoid these hardships is to find a good Fairfax country traffic lawyer.

By working with our reckless driving attorneys in Fairfax, you can avoid many of these costs, as well as points against your license, the loss of your license, or jail time. Even if you aren’t sure whether or not a lawyer can help, it is worth it to have your case reviewed. At S&R Law Firm, PLLC, we offer free consultations to help you learn more about your rights.

Contact us at 703-273-6431.