Difference Between a Speeding and Reckless Driving in Newport News

In general, reckless driving by speed is different from a speeding ticket because it’s a different level of offense. Reckless driving is a criminal charge whereas a speeding ticket is a traffic infraction. The difference between these is pretty vast. A traffic infraction is not jailable and the worst that you’d be looking at is the fine and a suspended license.

After a few years, the traffic infraction conviction will completely disappear from your driving record. However, in contrast, since reckless driving is a criminal charge, it will result in a permanent criminal record if you are convicted of it as well as having the possibility of jail time, a fine and a suspended license.

With this in mind, you may be able to make due without legal representation for a speeding ticket, but for a reckless driving charge it is extremely important you consult with a Newport News reckless driving lawyer to discuss your case.

What Should You Look For To Tell If Your Charge is Speeding or Reckless Driving?

You should look to see what exactly it is that you’re being charged with. In general, it will specify whether it’s reckless or if it’s speeding. If it doesn’t specifically say, then the document will also specify whether it’s mandatory for you to appear in court or if it’s optional. Criminal charges require a court appearance. So, if you are charged with reckless driving, you have to show up to court.

Court appearances for traffic infractions are optional. Traffic infractions come with the option of paying online and pleading guilty to the charge that way. So, if you have a speeding ticket, the document will specify that you don’t have to appear on court if you would rather just pre-pay the fine.

Does Reckless Driving Look Bad on Your Criminal Record?

A lot of people seem to believe that since reckless driving is charged when someone is just driving too fast, it’s not really a big deal. However, not only is reckless driving a criminal offense, but it’s also a class 1 misdemeanor which is the most serious level of misdemeanor possible. It’s the same level of offense as assault and battery or shoplifting, which would be hard to justify as charges that aren’t serious.

Whether it looks bad on your record is going to depend on who is looking at your record. There’s not any situation where having a class 1 misdemeanor conviction is going to be something that’s positive. So, the best thing for you to do is really just try to avoid that and not worry about whether it’s going to be not that bad in the future and take care of it in the present.