Fairfax County Traffic Lawyer
Numerous traffic laws dictate how you drive on Virginia roadways. Some of these laws are more common than others, but if you violate any of these laws, you may be subject to fines, negative points on your license, or even the suspension or revocation of your license or driving privileges. When you are facing a traffic violation, it may be helpful to talk to a Fairfax County traffic lawyer for advice.
In some cases, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you avoid the most severe penalties of traffic violations. Experienced legal representation may result in resolution of your traffic violation cases with minimum impact on your daily life.
Traffic Violations in Fairfax County
Many traffic offenses are civil violations, which means that individuals who violate them cannot face jail time or high fines; the only penalties involve the payment of minimal fines and court costs. Over time, however, these fines can add up, and individuals who accrue multiple traffic violations also are likely to experience heightened insurance rates. Accumulation of too many points on licenses also can lead to license suspensions and revocations.
Some examples of traffic violations that involve only a fine and the accrual of points on your license include failing to yield, speeding, failing to signal a turn, and disobeying traffic signals. Most traffic infractions are codified in Title 46.2 of the Virginia Code, but localities such as Fairfax County and Fairfax City also have their own municipal traffic codes.
The consequences to these traffic violations may be purely financial, but they can be deceptively costly in the future. Individuals who lose their licenses may lose their jobs and the ability to support themselves and their families. For persons facing this scenario, a traffic lawyer in Fairfax County may be of assistance.
Driving-Related Criminal Offenses
Other driving-related offenses are sufficiently severe that they lead to criminal charges. For instance, driving while intoxicated, or DWI, is a Class I misdemeanor, which carries potential penalties of a maximum one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500, among other consequences.
Some driving-related offenses even result in felony charges if the driver causes serious physical injuries or death to others. While reckless driving, for example, is generally a Class 1 misdemeanor, drivers who have no valid license and cause a fatal accident due to reckless driving can face Class 6 felony charges carrying up to five years of imprisonment.
Demerit Points for Traffic Offenses
Both traffic violations and driving-related criminal offenses will result in the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) assessing demerit points to driving records. These demerit points come in three, four, or six-point increments, depending on the severity of the traffic violation or criminal offense. As more points accrue in a specific timeframe, individuals put themselves at risk of a license suspension and other administrative consequences.
For instance, three-point violations include speeding at a rate that less than ten miles per hour over the speed limit, improper passing, and making an improper U-turn. Four-point violations include speeding at less than nineteen miles per hour over the limit, failing to stop and yield the right-of-way, and following too closely.
Finally, offenses that carry six demerit points are the most serious category, including DWI, reckless driving, and involuntary vehicular manslaughter.
Aside from the possibility of losing driving privileges due to accruing too many points, traffic violations and driving-related offenses all will adversely affect automobile insurance rates. Especially after more than one violation or crime occurs, drivers are likely to see increased insurance rates for years into the future long after the case is over.
When facing these potentially negative ramifications of traffic violations, it may be wise to look to a traffic attorney in Fairfax County for guidance.
Meet with a Fairfax County Traffic Attorney Today
If you have been pulled over and ticketed or charged with a driving-related offense, you may need the help of a Fairfax County traffic lawyer. With a strong and experienced legal advocate on your side, you may be able to determine the likelihood of success if you choose to fight your ticket or your charges. Legal representation also may allow you to protect your rights throughout any court proceedings.
Various defenses and mitigation tactics in traffic ticket cases and driving-related offenses may be relevant in your case, but you may not be aware of those strategies unless you seek legal assistance. Getting legal advice may assist you in raising any pertinent defenses and potentially avoiding some of the harsh consequences of some traffic violations.
