Virginia Traffic Tickets – Driving Offenses
Experienced Attorneys Ready to Fight for You
Virginia Misdemeanor Offenses
Traffic offenses are by far the most common in Virginia. Every year, police officers across northern Virginia write tens of thousands of traffic tickets/charges. The traffic attorneys at KGO have successfully represented thousands of clients facing traffic offenses in every type of situation. We know how to get the best possible result in your traffic case, reduce any harmful effects, and beat your traffic offense. If you have a traffic-related offense, contact us today for a free consultation.
Traffic offenses come in two different forms:
Misdemeanor offenses – any traffic offense where jail or license suspension is possible. A defendant is normally required to appear for the court date. In any case that involves a crime, you should hire an experienced traffic attorney to represent you. If found guilty, you could be facing a criminal conviction, license suspension, points on your license, or jail time. Misdemeanor traffic offenses include:
- DUI
- Reckless Driving
- Hit and Run
- Driving Suspended
- Driving Without a License
Traffic Infractions – any traffic offense or ticket where the maximum penalty is a fine. A defendant is not required to come to court. Although these offenses can be pre-paid and are only punishable by a fine, an attorney can help you minimize or avoid:
- Protect driving record
- Points on your license
- Increased insurance rates
- Administrative DMV
- Suspensions
- Reduced fines
Commercial Drivers
If you have a commercial driver’s license, or drive for a living as a service driver, Uber or Lyft, or drive a truck or operate construction equipment, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney about the benefits of appearing in court with an attorney. Traffic tickets, even infractions, can have immediate and long-term effects on your license and ability to keep your employment. Employers of drivers frequently check the driving records of their drivers. If you have traffic offenses or tickets on your record, traffic convictions may hurt your employment.
Virginia Traffic Points System – DMV
For each moving traffic violation you receive, the court reports back to the Virginia DMV, and the DMV assesses points on your driving record. Points can affect your insurance rates, harm your traffic record and employment, and possibly result in a license suspension.
The Virginia DMV points system is complicated, but here are the basics of how your license will be affected if you get too many points:
- If you accumulate 8 demerit points within 12 months or 12 points within 24 months, the DMV will mail you a cautionary letter explaining the negative actions the DMV may take for getting so many tickets.
- If you accumulate 12 demerit points within 12 months or 18 points within 24 months, the DMV will require you to complete a driver improvement course within 90 days.
- If you accumulate 18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months, your driving privilege will automatically be suspended for 90 days, AND you will be required to take a driver improvement class.
Demerit Points System
All moving offenses are categorized as follows:
- 6 point offenses – DUI, Reckless Driving, Speeding 20+, Driving on Suspended
- 4 point offenses – Improper Driving, Speeding 10-19mph
- 3 point offenses – all other moving violations, Speeding 1-9mph
If you accumulate too many points too quickly, the Virginia DMV will require you to complete a driver improvement class, or possibly even suspend your license.
I Have Points on my License – How Can I Fix This?
If you have some demerit points on your, there are steps you can take to improve your Virginia driving point balance:
- Take a DMV Approved Driver Improvement Class. Taking a DMV-approved class will put +5 points back on your record. Remember, you can only take a class for positive +5 points once every 3 years.
- Don’t get more tickets! For each year that you do not receive any moving violations, the DMV will add a +1 positive point to your record. The maximum positive points you can have is +5. A +5 is a perfect DMV driving record.
- Remember – points will fall off your driving record after 2 years from the date of the offense, NOT THE DATE OF CONVICTION. This is important to remember because if you are on the cusp of getting a license suspension for demerit points, an attorney can help you strategize the best possible procedures to minimize the points you have.
Our Virginia traffic attorneys have successfully defended thousands of clients facing traffic offenses and traffic tickets in Virginia. Each case is very different, requiring a unique strategy and outlook. Your case and your situation are no different. You need and deserve a top-rated defense to protect your driving record. We can help.
Call (703) 988-3711 or email us today to schedule a free consultation about your Virginia traffic offense case and learn how we can help.