You Can Avoid the Harsh and Unfair Consequences of Traffic Violations by Speaking with an Experienced Virginia Traffic Violation Attorney Right Away
Going your entire motoring life without getting one traffic violation is quite an accomplishment. With all of the time we spend in our cars, never getting a ticket might be an unreasonable expectation. Many people, even safe drivers, might get a speeding ticket or receive a citation for a moving violation at some point in their lives, especially if they live in Virginia or travel through the Commonwealth often.
Virginia’s traffic laws are some of the toughest in the country. Moreover, law enforcement officers are always on the lookout for anyone who commits even the slightest infraction. The penalties the Commonwealth imposes for repeated traffic violations increase with the number of violations on your record. Hiring an aggressive and accomplished Virginia traffic violation lawyer is essential to keeping your record clean and avoiding the harsh consequences of a traffic violation in Virginia.
Common Traffic Violations in Northern Virginia
Traffic violations generally fall into three categories of offenses in Virginia:
- Felonies,
- Misdemeanors, and
- Civil infractions.
Virginia’s driving laws break down traffic offenses into moving and non-moving violations. Examples of felonies include DUI causing death or serious injury and leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury. Misdemeanor offenses include DUI, DWI, driving without proof of insurance, and reckless or aggressive driving. Simple speeding and driving with a license plate light out are two examples of traffic infractions.
Penalties for Traffic Violations in Virginia
The nature of the offense dictates the penalty you could receive if you plead guilty or are found guilty in court. The judge could sentence you to jail or prison for a conviction of a felony or misdemeanor traffic offense. Additionally, the court could impose expensive fines. Also, the judge could sentence you to probation and order you to attend safe driving school.
Judges do not automatically impose a jail sentence in a traffic case. Typically, a fine and probation are appropriate. However, the severity of the penalty a judge will impose and the prosecution will argue for depends on the circumstances of your case and the number of previous traffic offenses on your record. The judge may not give you a break, even though you have no prior convictions. As a result, you should talk with a no-nonsense Virginia traffic violation lawyer to protect you from the negative consequences of a traffic violation in Virginia.
Collateral Consequences of a Conviction for a Traffic Offense in Northern Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia takes traffic offenses seriously. According to Virginia driving laws, the state will assess points on your license for each violation. Repeated violations can lead to license suspension. Additionally, the Commonwealth will suspend your license after a DUI conviction.
Losing your license for even 30 days could result in you experiencing adverse consequences in your daily life. Driving on a suspended license is a crime. Therefore, you must search for people to drive you around. Not having the ability to drive to work will impact your job performance. Moreover, your car insurance premiums will skyrocket. Additionally, having any felony or misdemeanor conviction on your criminal history and driving record could negatively impact future job searches and applying for benefits.
Get a Restricted License with Help from a Knowledgeable Virginia Traffic Attorney
Some judges may grant you a restricted license after a DUI conviction. A knowledgeable Virginia traffic lawyer like Michael A. Pignone will argue adamantly on your behalf to convince the judge to allow you to drive with a restricted license.
You have to satisfy the legal requirements before a judge grants you a restricted license. You can ask the judge for a restricted license if you show a need to:
- Drive your child to school or daycare;
- Drive your child to doctors’ appointments; or
- Drive yourself to work, medical appointments, school, or the required alcohol safety action program.
You may be able to avoid requesting a restricted license if your legal practitioner wins an acquittal for you, gets the charges dropped, or plea bargains with the Commonwealth for a reduced charge.
Why It Is Important to Talk to an Experienced Virginia Traffic Violation Attorney Right Away
Consulting with an experienced Virginia traffic lawyer right away could save you trouble in the long run. Attorney Michael A. Pignone offers free consultations for everyone who wants to talk to him about defending their case. There is no obligation to sit down with Michael and learn about how he can help you get the best result for your case.
Trying to take on the government without talking to a seasoned Virginia traffic attorney first could be dangerous. Going to court and either pleading guilty right away or taking your case to trial without a skilled trial lawyer by your side could cause irreparable harm to you and your future.
Without talking with a Virginia traffic lawyer first, you might forfeit rights and defenses you did not know were available. Once you have pleaded guilty or been found guilty, undoing the damage is extremely difficult. Aligning yourself with a dedicated Virginia traffic attorney as soon as possible ensures you avoid life-altering mistakes.
Out-of-State Drivers Facing Traffic Violations in Virginia Need an Experienced Virginia Traffic Violation Attorney to Help Them Fight for Justice
Virginia is known for its high traffic volume. Many people from out of state either visit or pass through the Commonwealth every day. Anyone hailing from out of state should consider hiring local counsel to help them fight their traffic violations.
Taking a plea to a charge in a foreign state or, worse, not showing up to court at all and ignoring the charge can have a devastating effect on you. Convictions for traffic violations go on your record and could be used against you at another time. Advanced computer technology allows states to learn about traffic violations from other jurisdictions. Accordingly, talking to a dedicated Virginia traffic violation lawyer about your case is essential. Your attorney can help you by advising you of the law in Virginia and representing your best interests in court.
Talk with a Proven Virginia Traffic Lawyer from the Law Office of Michael A. Pignone Today
For more than 20 years, Virginia traffic attorney Michael A. Pignone has successfully represented clients facing serious traffic offenses such as DUI, DWI, reckless driving, speeding, driving on a suspended license, and driving with a restricted or forfeited license. As an experienced trial lawyer, Michael A. Pignone also handled some of Virginia’s most challenging traffic cases, such as vehicular manslaughter and leaving the accident scene.
Our experienced lawyer also handles clients with other types of cases, including:
Call our attorney at Law Office of Michael A. Pignone today at 703-988-5882 to schedule a free consultation and speak with a skilled Virginia traffic violation attorney right away.