Any sort of traffic ticket is going to slow down your day and impact your budget. However, some infractions have much more noteworthy and lasting consequences than others.
If an officer in Virginia claims that your recent traffic infraction was not just a case of speeding but rather reckless driving, you may want to consider speaking with an attorney to fight against the allegation because it is more severe than a standard ticket.
Reckless driving is a crime, not a traffic infraction
Speeding and other vehicle-related offenses typically only result in a fine because they are not a criminal offense but rather a traffic infraction, though these cases can also merit legal representation. Reckless driving, however, like drunk driving, crosses the line from a bad driving habit punishable by a fine to a criminal act.
That means that if you plead guilty or get convicted, you will have a criminal record and could be subject to noteworthy penalties as opposed to just a minor financial inconvenience. Those penalties include adding a significant number of points to your license. Reckless driving could even lead to felony charges in some cases.
Discretion plays into reckless driving cases
In many criminal charges, there is black-and-white legal code validating the allegations made by a law enforcement officer. When it comes to reckless driving, however, there is a degree of subjective interpretation involved.
An officer can charge someone with reckless driving when they believe bad behavior at the wheel stems from a flagrant disregard for the safety of others. If the entire case depends on proving that you had callous disregard for others, then presenting an alternative version of the story could be enough to prevent a conviction.
Depending on the circumstances that led to a reckless driving charge in your case, there may be a variety of options available to you for your defense. An attorney at Bowen Ten Long & Bal, PC can help you in the face of such a charge.