What to Know About Hampton Reckless Driving Cases

The reckless driving cases in Hampton are heard in the Hampton general district court typically. If the incident occurred on federal property, then the case will be heard in the federal courts instead. Consult with a reckless driving lawyer in Hampton for your specific case.

Reckless driving cases in Hampton are heard before a judge in what they called a bench trial. There is no jury since the reckless driving cases in Hampton are heard in general district court and these courts do not use juries. The judge will be the one who determines guilt or innocence in Hampton reckless driving cases.

What to Expect From a Reckless Driving Case

In Hampton, the process is the same as it would be for a speeding ticket that the driver decides to appear in court for, except that the appearance in court for a reckless driving ticket is mandatory and not optional as it would be for a speeding ticket.

The defendant should expect to appear in court on time and properly dressed. They should expect the police officer to be there as it is rare that the officers do not appear. They should expect the officer to candidly tell a judge the sequence of events that led to the charge. Then the judge will ask the defendant if he has any evidence of his own to present or if he has something to say towards sentencing if he decided to plead guilty rather than fight the charge. The specific facts of what happened will be considered by the judge when determining what happens next. And the defendant can expect the judge to be very harsh with his view of the crime.

Top 3 Things To Be Prepared For In A Reckless Driving Case

#1: Contacting a Lawyer

The number one thing that they should be prepared for is having to get a lawyer. Many people skip this step believing that they will do fine on their own. Before making that decision however, they should go sit in court and see the results other defendants are able to get on their own versus with he results from an attorney. When I have a potential client on the fence, I ask them to do this so that they’re absolutely certain what the consequences of either choice may be. An attorney can make a huge difference in reckless driving cases.

#2: You Have to Appear in Court

A second thing someone should be prepared for is having to appear physically in court. This doesn’t just mean showing up. It means arriving early to make sure they are in the correct court room on time, and also wearing appropriate clothing to show respect to the court. I’ve seen defendants asked to wait in the hall because they were dressed inappropriately and then get chastized by the judge for their poor attire. You don’t want to be the person who angers the judge before he even hears your case.

#3: Be Ready to Pay a Fine If You Are Found Guilty

Third, someone should also be prepared to accept the consequences of their actions. This could mean making sure they have enough money to pay the fine or having someone else driving them to court if they face the possibility of jail time.