WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU ARE TICKETED FOR DRIVING 100 MPH OR OVER?

If you receive a ticket for Reckless Driving, and you were accused of traveling 100 miles per hour or more, then you need to seek legal representation.

If you are driving through Virginia, you can be convicted of Reckless Driving by Speed two ways: (1) by driving 20 or more miles per hour over the speed limit or (2) by traveling over 85 miles per hour. But what happens when you reach or exceed 100 miles per hour? Surprisingly, to many people, a ticket at this speed usually results in more serious consequences than just a fine and points on your driving record.

Consequences of Convictions for Reckless Driving 100 MPH or Over

In Virginia, any Reckless Driving conviction is a Class 1 misdemeanor which can carry its own collateral consequences, such as impacts on your criminal and driving record, insurance, and (sometimes) employment. According to the statute, the maximum penalty for Reckless Driving is a $2,500 fine and/or up to 12 months in jail. While many people convicted of Reckless Driving can avoid jail time and end up with a fine of a few hundred dollars, those who are charged with driving 100 miles per hour (MPH) or more in Dinwiddie County are usually REQUIRED to come to court and are LIKELY to receive at least some jail time unless they take proactive steps ahead of the court date to mitigate their case.

Court Appearances in Reckless Driving Cases

Reckless Driving cases for 100 miles per hour or more in Dinwiddie County are generally placed on the criminal docket. This means that drivers who have received the ticket must appear in court, and it usually requires at least two court appearances. The first court appearance is an arraignment, which is a hearing where the Judge will read the charges, advise the driver of their right to an attorney, and schedule the trial.

The second appearance is usually the trial date during which a driver will enter a plea, both sides will present their evidence, and the Judge will decide first on the issue of guilt (the verdict), and then, if applicable, he will impose the sentence. The sentence for a conviction on a Reckless Driving charge for going 100 MPH or more can include a fine, jail sentence, and/or suspension of driving privileges.

 Also, because the matter is on the criminal docket, the Commonwealth’s Attorney is usually involved in prosecuting the case. What does that mean for you? Well, in ordinary traffic cases, the officer presents a short testimony about the time of the offense and what he witnessed, but he does not usually give input about what the punishment for the defendant should be if convicted. When the Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes the case, they can present evidence and arguments on both the matter of whether you are guilty and on the sentence. Often, the Commonwealth’s Attorney will argue that the defendant should receive jail time.

Contact Our Office for a Consultation

If you receive a summons for Reckless Driving and the speed is near or above 100 miles per hour, contact our office to discuss strategies for your case. Our team has been handling Reckless Driving cases at this speed in Dinwiddie County for years, and we appear in Dinwiddie General District Court for either the criminal or traffic docket nearly every week.