Virginia Beach Traffic Lawyer

When you are cited for a moving violation, paying the fine is an admission of guilt. This means that points will go on your driving record. Your insurance company will raise your rates because of these points, and you will be disqualified from doing jobs that require you to have a clean driving history.  If you receive 18 points on your license over 12 months, or 24 points on your license over two years, your license will be suspended.  Because Virginia traffic violations can have serious consequences, and are sometimes criminal charges, it is a good idea to contact a Virginia Beach traffic lawyer for help dealing with your citation.

Virginia Beach Traffic Laws

There are hundreds of rules in Virginia that you must know and follow when on the roads. If you violate any traffic safety requirements, you can receive a ticket and a fine.  You will not go to jail for a simple moving violation, but you can be incarcerated and charged with a crime for certain driving offenses, such as reckless driving or driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs. However, many traffic matters are not simple, and you can work with a Virginia Beach traffic lawyer to help protect your driving privileges, and in some instances, avoid a criminal record.

Traffic Lawyer in Virginia Beach VAVirginia Code Title 46.2 establishes state requirements related to motor vehicles. Chapter 8 of this code section sets forth safety rules regulating traffic. They address everything from how cars should travel at circular intersections, to limits on passing, to penalties for road racing.

The specific consequences of violating any traffic safety rule will vary, depending upon the severity of the offense. For example:

  • Code Section 46.2-833 sets a maximum fine of $350 for failure to obey traffic lights.
  • Code Section 46.2-844 allows for prosecution for passing stopped school buses and imposes a civil penalty of $250.
  • Code Section 46.2-878.1 establishes a maximum fine of $500 for exceeding the speed limit in a work zone when construction workers are present.

The citation you receive for a traffic offense should explain what laws you broke and what the consequences are. It should also specify a time when you must come to court if you wish to have a hearing held about your ticket.

You do not have to go to court if you pay the fine and admit guilt, but it is a good idea to explore all your options before you send in the fine and get points on your license. Attending a driving education course could make it possible to avoid points. Contesting the ticket is also an option, as is negotiating a plea bargain with the prosecutor assigned to the case. A Virginia Beach traffic lawyer will be able to advise you on the best course of action, depending upon the evidence against you and whether you were charged with a traffic crime or cited for a moving violation.

Hiring a Virginia Beach Traffic Lawyer

A Virginia Beach traffic lawyer can carefully review the facts of your case and advise you on all possible legal approaches to try to limit short- and long-term consequences.  Attorneys are experienced negotiators and litigators who can talk to the prosecutor on your behalf to try to work out a deal or present evidence in court to try to secure a not-guilty verdict.

Attorneys can also help you to solve problems more serious than a simple traffic ticket. If you have been cited for a moving violation but do not go to court as required, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This means that you could be taken into custody at any time, such as when police run your name through the computer during a routine traffic stop. If you suspect that you have a bench warrant out for you, contact a Virginia Beach traffic lawyer to find out what you can do about having the warrant dismissed .

No matter what your traffic issue, whether a DUI or a speeding ticket you don’t believe you deserve, contacting a Virginia Beach traffic lawyer will ensure that you have an advocate on your side who is looking out for your rights.  Call an attorney as soon as possible to learn more.

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