Traffic violations and point accumulation on your driving record can lead to higher insurance rates and potentially a suspended license from the court (if misdemeanor) and from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The Harold Law Firm understands that your driver’s license is important to you, your family and your livelihood.

Did you know…

If you are in an accident, prepaying or entering a plea of guilty to a traffic ticket can be an admission against interest in a civil lawsuit should you get sued?

The statute of limitations—the time during which a person could exercise his/her right to sue you—for a personal injury lawsuit is two years (barring special circumstance)?  This means someone can sue you, in most cases, for up to two years after an accident whether or not you believe you are at fault. And, if the person injured in the accident is a minor, the statute of limitations extends to two years beyond his/her 18th birthday.

If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation in the Commonwealth of Virginia, whether it is your first violation or not, you need a law firm with the experience to review the evidence against you, to build a strong defense. The Harold Law Firm is here to help you make sense of all of your options.

In addition to reckless driving and DUI/DWI matters, the Harold Law Firm has the ability to represent you in other Virginia traffic-related matters including:

  • Driving while privilege is suspended
  • Driving without a license
  • Commercial driver’s license (CDL) cases
  • Habitual offender prosecution
  • Reckless driving by speed and otherwise
  • Traffic accidents
  • Leaving the scene of an accident—both felony & misdemeanor
  • Speeding
  • Defective equipment

TRAFFIC VIOLATION CONVICTIONS

When you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). DMV does the following:

  • Posts the conviction to your driving record
  • Assigns demerit points to you according to the severity of the offense
  • Issues an order of suspension, if applicable
  • Issues an order requiring the successful completion of a driver improvement clinic, if applicable
  • Notifies your insurance company upon request

SIX POINTS: Reckless Driving (Number of Years the Conviction Stays on Your Record)

  • Reckless driving—speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—racing (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—passing or overtaking an emergency vehicle (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—passing a school bus (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—passing on the crest of a hill (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—passing at a railroad crossing (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—passing two vehicles abreast (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—driving two vehicles abreast (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—driving too fast for conditions (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—failure to give a proper signal (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—faulty brakes/improper control (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—on parking lots, etc. (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—with an obstructed view (11 years)
  • Reckless driving—generally (11 years)

Habitual Offenders (Number of Years the Conviction Stays on Your Record)

  • Driving after being declared a habitual offender (11 years)
  • Allowing a person to drive when suspended for habitual offender and/or driving while intoxicated (3 years)

Licenses/Permits (Number of Years the Conviction Stays on Your Record)

  • Driving on suspended license (11 years)
  • Driving while your license is suspended or revoked (11 years)
  • Driving while your license is suspended or revoked for non-payment of court fines and costs (11 years)
  • Driving under suspension or revocation before giving proof of financial responsibility (11 years)

Other Violations (Number of Years the Conviction Stays on Your Record)

  • Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (5 years)
  • Injuring person while racing—felony (11 years)
  • Causing death of a person while racing (11 years)
  • Failure to stop at the scene of a crash—injury (11 years)
  • Failure to stop at the scene of a crash—death (11 years)
  • Failure to stop at the scene of a crash—property damage of $1,000 or more (11 years)
  • Failure to change lanes/slow down for vehicle displaying flashing lights – death (11 years)
  • Vehicular assault or willful stopping, impeding or damaging vehicle (11 years)
  • Blocking access to service facility (11 years)
  • Attempting to elude police – felony (11 years); misdemeanor (3 years)
  • Operating unsafe vehicle (3 years)

When it comes to traffic matters in Virginia, there can be serious penalties. Take advantage of Mr. Harold’s years of experience and long-standing history of working with the court system.  He will work with you to understand your options, build a strong defense and handle your matter discreetly.