At traffic stops in Fauquier County, the Sheriff's Office and State Police often issue a Virginia Summons for Reckless Driving. The Summons instructs the driver that they must appear in the General District Court for a hearing. Reckless Driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor offense. It is punishable by up to twelve months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and loss of license for up to six months.
If the driver does not appear in court on the day of the hearing, the judge may find them guilty in their absence or issue a capias (arrest warrant) for Failure to Appear. That offense is also a misdemeanor crime. It is advisable to hire an attorney for this charge as soon as possible.
However, in most Reckless Driving cases in Fauquier County, a Virginia attorney may appear in court and resolve the case without the client coming to court. This includes Reckless Driving by Speed cases over 20 miles per hour (for example 85 mph in a 55 zone). In extreme speed cases approaching 100 miles per hour or more, the client will need to appear with the attorney. The reason for this policy is that higher speed cases have a greater probability of jail time and loss of license.
If you got a Reckless Driving ticket, you need to speak directly about your case with an experienced lawyer who practices in Warrenton, Virginia. The lawyer will review the case facts, driving record, etc and advise about possible waiver of your appearance in court. The attorney can also provide valuable advice about preparation that you need to do before court to improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome. This preparation may include driver improvement courses, speedometer calibration, community service and other mitigation efforts.
Contact the law office for a free, initial consultation for your Reckless Driving case in Fauquier County, Virginia. Attorney Wilfred Yeargan regularly appears in the Fauquier General District Court and has been practicing law in Virginia for 25 years. He will guide you through the steps necessary to achieve a favorable outcome.