Traffic Lawyer Salem, Virginia

If you are facing a reckless driving charge, you likely have many questions. What is the severity of these charges? How will this infraction affect my future chances at employment? What kinds of fines will I need to pay? Unfortunately, when a police officer charges you with reckless driving, there are many different potential consequences, as no two reckless driving charges are exactly the same. At the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we understand just how stressful it can be to face a reckless driving ticket. Thankfully, with the assistance of an experienced Salem, Virginia traffic lawyer, you may be able to mitigate any potential consequences associated with your reckless driving charge or possibly avoid any criminal consequences altogether.

How would a conviction impact my future?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get involves how a reckless driving ticket can impact a person’s future. Unfortunately, unlike a speeding ticket, a reckless driving conviction does not simply drop off your driving record after a few years. While you can pay for a speeding ticket after the officer gives it to you (or you can go to court to argue it), a speeding ticket will likely only result in a few hundred dollars in fines and likely won’t impact your future much unless you drive for a living. A reckless driving ticket, however, is not something you can simply pay immediately and forget about. Instead, you will need to go to court to plead guilty or defend your case, and the penalties of a reckless driving conviction may be substantial. As a result, it is important to have an experienced Salem, VA traffic lawyer by your side as you navigate the defense process. Without a strong defense, you may face a host of consequences:

• Community Service
• Points on your Driving Record
• Large Fines
• License Suspension
• Mandatory Driving Improvement Courses, and
• Jail

Are there any defenses?

An experienced Salem, VA traffic lawyer can help to craft defenses designed for your specific circumstances. Some of the most common defenses that a Salem, VA traffic lawyer might use for their client in association with a reckless driving case include:

• You Weren’t Driving. If the officer cannot prove that you were driving (and you never stated that it was you who was driving), it is possible to have the judge drop your charges entirely. Without proof, they cannot show that you caused an accident or that you were speeding.
• You Were Driving Carelessly. Depending on your situation, it may be better to argue that you were driving carelessly, not recklessly. Careless driving is a less serious offense than reckless driving and results in less significant penalties.

A reckless driving conviction can change your life forever by giving you a criminal record. However, an experienced Salem, VA traffic lawyer can help you devise a strong defense and represent you in court. For more information, please contact our office today.

Client Review

“Great job of communicating throughout the entire process. Rhonda and staff were very professional, with great knowledge, and results.They were able to get my speeding ticket completely dismissed.”