Rappahannock County, Virginia is located in Northern Virginia in the little Town of Washington. The town is adjacent to Route 211, which rolls through the county, over the mountains and into Page County. Route 211 is a popular spot for motorcyclists, because there are beautiful views and few traffic lights. The county gets heavy traffic on many other roads as well. These include FT Valley Road leading to Madison, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Long Mountain Road, and Rock Mills Ramble near Sperryville. State Troopers and county officers patrol the roads and give motorists tickets in the county.
The main traffic court for adults is the General District Court. It is located in Washington, Virginia at the old courthouse. The judge that hears traffic matters in this court is the Honorable Jessica Foster. She also sits in Fauquier County. Below is the contact information for the court:
Rappahannock County General District Court
250 Gay Street, Washington, VA 22747
Telephone: (540) 675-5356
The county is less populated but still issues a large number of Reckless Driving tickets due to the number of visitors from out of town on vacations and day trips. Reckless Driving in Virginia is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor. This is a criminal offense treated with the same level of seriousness as a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol arrest. The ticket is punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500.00, and loss of license of up to six months.
Many tickets for Reckless Driving are Speeding related. This can be charged when the driver is exceeding 20 miles or more over the limit, or driving more than 85 miles per hour. Other types of Reckless Driving in Virginia are charged under different statutes and include Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles, Racing, Reckless Driving by Conduct - Endangering Life, Limb, or Property, and Passing a School Bus. Because of the seriousness of the charge, the law office seeks to make an agreement with the prosecutor to get it dismissed or reduced down to a traffic infraction.
Traffic infractions are not criminal charges. They carry only the potential for a fine and court costs. Examples of these type of offenses are Failure to Obey a Highway Sign, Speeding, and Improper Driving. They also carry fewer points and fall off the driving record in a shorter period of time.
Rappahannock County, as well as Fauquier County, does allow dismissal of traffic charges under certain circumstances in a deferral program. This also includes lower speed Reckless Driving offenses (for example 80 mph in a 55 mph zone). The deferral program is usually only available to drivers with exceptional driving records. The deferral program includes completion of a Virginia approved driver improvement course and payment of court costs. The law office has utilized this program many times for eligible clients.
The law office recommends that those charged with low-level Reckless Driving by Speed complete an eight hour online driver improvement course or an eight hour in-person class before court. The class needs to be approved for Virginia. When the class if completed, you will receive a certificate of completion that may be used in court. It is also important that the driver get their driving record from the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state they are licensed.
In higher speed Reckless Driving cases or if the client has previous traffic convictions, the law office recommends completing community service hours before court. The community service needs to be completed with a non-profit entity. The organization can provide a letter on their stationary stating the number of hours completed and the tasks performed.
In higher speed cases, it is also advisable to obtain a speedometer calibration of the vehicle. The calibration may be done at any mechanic shop that issues a notarized statement of the result. Advanced Automotive in Chantilly, VA does a good job with calibrations.
The law office suggests that clients in higher speed Reckless Driving cases complete an additional four hour Virginia driver improvement course for Reckless Driving called RADEP. This is an intensive in-person class. The class will provide a certificate that may be used in court.
If the law office is unable to get your Reckless Driving charge deferred for complete dismissal, it seeks to get it amended to a lesser traffic infraction. The client would then be ordered to pay only a fine and court costs. Fines and court costs must be paid within 90 days under Virginia law.
If you need help with a pending Reckless Driving or Speeding charge in Rappahannock County General District Court, call the law office for a free, initial consultation. Attorney Wilfred Yeargan has 25 years of personal experience defending these types of charges. The attorney will provide a free, initial consultation and explain what needs to be done for your particular case. The law office offers a reasonable flat fee rate to handle the matter. In most cases, the lawyer can represent you without the need for your appearance in court.