Fairfax, Virginia Traffic Defense Attorneys

Traffic Violation Defense Lawyers Helping Drivers in Fairfax, VA Keep Their Licenses

A single traffic ticket may not seem like a big deal. However, if you receive multiple traffic violations within a short period of time, or if you have been cited for an especially serious offense, you could be looking at more than just a suspended license. Virginia is a state that treats certain traffic offenses as criminal matters, meaning you could potentially end up in jail in some cases.

At Robinson Law, PLLC, our Fairfax traffic lawyers regularly defend drivers in all types of cases involving traffic violations. We work to help our clients keep their licenses and avoid serious penalties that could affect their lives for years to come.

Northern Virginia: A Terrible Place to Drive

Surveys have shown that residents of the Washington, D.C. area have one of the worst commutes in the country, if not the worst. Fairfax County, Virginia might be ground zero for the most difficult stretch of road in the entire metropolitan area. Have you ever been on I-66 during rush hour? Then you know how it can quickly become a parking lot.

Many other roads in Fairfax County become clogged with cars on a regular basis, including the Beltway's western loop, Routes 50 and 267, 28 and 29, and the Fairfax County Parkway. All of these routes create conditions where it is easy to incur a traffic violation.

Here are several issues that can lead to traffic tickets in areas where roadways are especially choked with traffic:

• You may be behind a long line of cars when approaching an intersection, but the light may turn red when you are already past the solid white line, leading to a ticket for disobeying a traffic light.
• You may move slowly for miles, then traffic may speed up suddenly. Before you know it, you are in a pack of speeding cars, all exceeding the posted speed limit. Even if you feel as though you have to drive at that speed to avoid being a hazard, you could receive a speeding ticket.
• While waiting for a traffic light to change while in heavy traffic, you may worry that you will be late for an important meeting. You may fail to stop completely before making a right turn on red, and you may receive a ticket for your failure to stop.

If you receive a traffic ticket, you may feel that paying the fine will not be a problem. However, if you have several other tickets on your record, you may be looking at a suspended license – or worse.

Accepting the Ticket Vs. Fighting it

When you are stopped and receive a ticket from a police officer, or when a ticket is mailed to you after a camera takes a photo of your license plate at an intersection, your natural tendency may be to pay the fine and move on. However, you should not forget that mistakes are sometimes made when devices read speeds or capture the movements of vehicles at intersections. Law enforcement officers can also make mistakes in the procedures they are supposed to follow. These issues may give you grounds to contest a traffic ticket.

Before you pay your fine or admit guilt at a hearing, contact our Fairfax traffic defense lawyers to find out whether you may have a chance to have your charge and the sentence or fine reduced. This could be extremely important if you have other violations on your record and may face a loss of driving privileges or jail time.

Driving on a Suspended License In Virginia

If you are convicted of reckless driving, the court may suspend your driver's license for up to six months. For a DWI/DUI conviction, the court may suspend your license for up to one year. Unfortunately, you probably have responsibilities like family, work, school, etc., and you may need to drive in order to live your life.

You may feel that you have no other choice but to drive on a suspended license. This is an issue that affects many people in Northern Virginia who have relocated from somewhere else. Those who have no family in the area and do not have a large network of friends to help them out may feel that they have no options for transportation, and this may lead them to violate the law and drive without a valid license.

When a person's license is suspended by a court, they are required to sign a document acknowledging that their license is suspended. In other cases, a person may not lose their license because of what happens in court, but if they fail to pay their court costs, they may face a license suspension at a later date. In Virginia, you have 30 days to pay your fines and court costs after being found guilty of any traffic infraction. After 30 days, you will receive a letter from the DMV indicating that your license has been suspended.

Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License in Fairfax and Northern Virginia

Driving on a suspended license is not only a traffic violation in Virginia—it is also a crime. More specifically, driving on a suspended license is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $2500, and an additional term of suspension equal to the period of time for which your license was initially suspended. For a third offense of driving on a suspended license, the punishment includes a mandatory 10-day period of incarceration.

Loss of License in DUI/DWI Cases in Virginia

If you are convicted of DWI or DUI, you will lose your ability to drive for one year. Your license will also be suspended if you refuse a breath test after being arrested for DUI. In this situation, you may receive a restricted license from the court. That license will permit you to drive during specified times and only to specified places.

If you are caught violating the restrictions on your license, you are considered to be driving on a suspended license. In these cases, the penalties are harsher than those that typically apply for driving on a suspended license. If found guilty, you will have your license revoked for 12 months, and jail time is very possible, even for a first offense. This will also trigger a probation violation for the original DUI charge.

Is Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Virginia a Misdemeanor or Felony?

Leaving the scene of an accident—known as "hit and run"—may be either a misdemeanor or felony offense in Virginia. If the total damage caused by the accident is under $1,000, the crime is classified as a misdemeanor. However, if the accident resulted in $1,000 or more in damage, leaving the scene of the accident is a felony. If an injury or death occurred in the accident, leaving the scene is automatically a felony offense. Either way, it is important to speak with a criminal lawyer at Robinson Law, PLLC who can help you address hit-and-run charges right away.

Categories of Hit and Run Charges in Virginia

Attended Vehicle Causing Property Damage of Less than $1,000

A hit and run involving a car that is either occupied or in which the owner is in the immediate vicinity is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The punishment includes a maximum of 12 months in jail, A six-month license suspension, and a $2,500 fine.

Attended Vehicle Causing Property Damage of More Than $1,000 or Injury/Death

A hit and run that causes serious injury or death to another person is a Class 5 felony. The same charge will apply in a hit and run involving more than $1,000 in property damage to an attended vehicle. The punishment includes a maximum of five years in jail, a six-month license suspension, and a $2,500 fine.

Unattended Property Damage of Less Than $250

A hit-and-run accident causing less than $250 in damage to an unoccupied and unattended vehicle is a Class 4 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250.

Unattended Property Damage of More Than $250

A hit-and-run accident causing more than $250 in damage to an unoccupied and unattended vehicle is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 12 months in jail, a six-month license suspension, and a $2,500 fine.

Consult With an Experienced Fairfax Traffic Violations Lawyer Before Paying Your Ticket

If you have received a traffic ticket or been cited for driving on a suspended license, do not make the mistake of paying the ticket without consulting with an attorney. At Robinson Law, PLLC, we will provide you with a free consultation where we will review your citation and determine if we think we can contest it. Even if a ticket cannot be beaten, we may be able to help you take steps to reduce the penalties you face. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation, contact us at 703-844-3746.