Traffic laws are strictly enforced by the Commonwealth of Virginia. A violation can result in deduction of points from your driver’s license, as well as heavy fines. If you have a traffic violation, such as a speeding ticket, in the state of Virginia, you need to understand the laws that apply to your case.
Traffic Tickets in Virginia
In Virginia, the enforcement of speed limits now relies a great deal on fines. These tickets, and those associated with other traffic violations, can come with high fines and should not be taken lightly. Typically, someone who has gotten a speeding ticket will have to pay $5.00 for each mile per hour over the legal limit, as well as court fees. These charges will also come with a demerit in driver’s license points. For comprehensive information on common Virginia traffic violations, review:
What To Do After You Receive a Ticket
If a driver gets a speeding ticket in Virginia, there will be a fine. The specific fine could vary based on the offense. In the case of a speeding ticket, the price could be dependent on how much the driver was exceeding the speed limit. The cost of the fine would be listed on the traffic ticket, including all associated expenses. If a driver fails to pay, this will cost additional money due to surcharges. Additionally, the court has the prerogative to issue an arrest warrant.
The driver will need to pay any associated costs within 30 days of the court date. Otherwise, he or she will be subjected to any of a variety of consequences, including a driver’s license suspension. In some cases, deferred payments can be scheduled; however, in these cases, it is very important to honor the payment arrangements. If the fine is not paid as promised, the agreement could be rendered null and void, and the legal system could issue an arrest warrant. Once the driver is determined to be guilty of speeding, he or she can pay the fine via Internet, phone, or mail in Virginia.
Challenging a Traffic Ticket
If you have some reason for disagreeing with the ticket that has been issued, you can opt to represent yourself in court or hire a lawyer for the purpose. If the court deems you guilty, you could have points tacked onto your driving record, which could bring up your insurance rates. This is particularly true if you already had points on your driving record. If you are found guilty in court, you may have the option of following through with an eight hour driver improvement course to decrease the number of points to be added onto your record as a result of the ordeal.
Conviction For a Traffic Violation
In the state of Virginia, there is a program that is referred to as the Driver Improvement Program. If a Virginia resident is convicted of a traffic violation, he or she will contact the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state of Virginia. The DMV will then post the conviction onto the driver’s record, and demerit points will be issued if it is relevant to the offense. In some cases of offenses, licenses will be suspended as well. The DMV will also watch a driver’s record, monitoring the number of points that accumulate within a 12 month period.
The Virginia Point System
Drivers need to be aware that any conviction on their records will result in the issuing of points. Depending on the specific moving violation in question, the number of points could be 3, 4, or even 6. If a driver builds up 8 points within a year, he or she will receive an advisory letter, which is essentially a warning. If he or she gets 12 points within a year or 18 points within two years, the driver will be required by the DMV to take and finish the driver improvement course within 90 days.
This is not the extent of it. Not only will a driver have to take the driver improvement course in these cases, but if a driver has 18 points in a year or 24 points in two years, his or her license will be suspended for a period of 90 days. Demerit points will come off of the driver’s standing with time; this typically takes about two years after the date of citation. However, the consequences that come with a conviction could have longer lasting consequences for an individual.
Violations Involving Commercial Vehicles
Violations that involve commercial vehicles can be part of the accumulation of points. A driver can lose a great deal of income due to suspension of a CDL. Additionally, reckless behavior while driving these commercial vehicles can be particularly dangerous, considering their large size.
How a Traffic Defense Lawyer Can Help
If you have been charged with a traffic violation in Virginia, you should speak to a traffic defense lawyer in order to make sure that your rights are not violated. The right attorney will be able to make sure that the court clearly understands your case and that you do not receive an unduly harsh penalty. If you are seeking assistance with a charge for a traffic violation, call The Brown Firm PLLC or, send us a message online to discuss your case. We provide initial in-person or phone consultations to help you get started.
