Our Manassas Traffic Offense Lawyers Can Help You Fight Reckless Driving Charges
While reckless driving is often a misdemeanor offense, certain circumstances might result in a felony classification. Our experienced reckless driving lawyers at The Wilson Law Firm will work tirelessly to raise effective defenses that can help you beat the charges you face and evaluate your options to achieve the best outcome in your case.
When Is Reckless Driving Classified as a Felony in Virginia?
While excessive speeding is one of the most common offenses, here are two other distinct situations when you could face felony penalties.
Reckless Driving With Driver’s License Suspension
You would be charged with a Class 6 felony under Virginia Code § 46.2-86 if your driver’s license was suspended or revoked and your reckless driving caused someone’s death.
If you’re convicted, the judge could sentence you to up to five years in prison and a fine of not more than $2,500.
In addition, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles could revoke or suspend your driver’s license for an additional period of time. It would add 6 points to your driving record, which may remain on it for 11 years.
Drag Racing
Under Virginia Code § 46.2-865.1, drag racing can also be charged as a Class 6 felony if someone not involved in the race was injured. The penalties would be the same as for reckless driving when your driver’s license was suspended or revoked.
If your drag racing resulted in an individual’s death, you could be sentenced to a minimum of one year up to a maximum of 20 years in prison under Virginia Code § 46.2-865.1. Your driver’s license would also be suspended for up to three years.
How Our Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyers Can Help You
Given the harsh consequences you face, you can’t afford just to plead guilty or try to go it alone. At The Wilson Law Firm, our legal professionals have decades of experience defending people just like you facing felony reckless driving charges. We’ll investigate the prosecution’s arguments and evidence, construct a solid defense strategy, and collect the evidence you need to support your defenses to help you get the charges dropped or reduced to a less serious offense.