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Virginia Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: My daughter got a ticket for going around a vehicle, and appears to be a reckless driving charge

She is planning on take a driving improvement class before court. Is she able to ask the judge to reduce the charge? Does she need an attorney?

Paula Hough
Paula Hough
answered on Jan 4, 2023

It will depend on the jurisdiction in which she has to go to court. Different judges have different rules regaring driving schoo (i.e., for what charges school is eligible, how often in can be done, if it can be done in advance). You should reach out to a local attorney for advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: I got 4 tickets and i have no license what should i do?

I got 4 tickets 3 weeks ago i am not sure if i should hire a lawyer and i also don’t know what i should do, I am 18. 1st ticket was red light. 2nd ticket was no license. 3rd was speeding 75 on a 45 not a reckless and 4th was a crossing double yield line

Paula Hough
Paula Hough
answered on Nov 10, 2022

You should have an attorney at least for the driving without a license charge, as it is a criminal misdemeanor. If you cannot afford an attorney, you should ask the Judge to appoint an attorney for you. An attorney can also help you potentially get the other charges dismissed or reduced.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: I drove with permit

I caught by police with driving with permit now I got my license and my court is on 28 Oct 22

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Oct 27, 2022

This is a statement and not a question. If you have an attorney you should be better off. Try talking to an attorney who practices in the court your case is in if you have a question.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: Was the sole person and vehicle in an accident. Officer issued a citation for "improper driving/control"

Instead of reckless driving. In court, the judge reviewed the charge and instructed the officer that LEO are not allowed to issue those types of tickets but that it's for a court to decide to downgrade a reckless charge to that. The judge informed me the commonwealth (state) could retry the... View More

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Oct 18, 2022

There probably very little chance they will bring the charge. They have up to one year. If you killed someone in the accident they likely would but in this situation there's probably very little chance they would do the extra work.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: If I caught charges while on probation but my probation term ends before I’m found guilty of anything can I get violated
Brian M. Latuga
PREMIUM
Brian M. Latuga
answered on Oct 12, 2022

Yes, probation violations may be brought after the period ends so long as the offense date was during the probation/ good behavior period. There are some exclusions due to time of filing, but typically the charge may be brought for up to one year after the end of probation.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: My speeding ticket for 52 in 35 citing VA code 46.2-875, but court site RD-GENERALLY-MISD 46.2-852. Is this correct?

This a class 1 misdemeanor according to court record but I thought it had to be over 20mph to be a misdemeanor reckless driving charge. Below 20 mph would be reckless driving but not a misdemeanor (i thought).

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Sep 17, 2022

If the only thing that you received was a ticket from the officer for driving 52 mph in a 35 mph zone and you are correct, it is a speeding ticket and not reckless driving.

The ticket that you received should govern. I am assuming the officer didn't go down and get a warrant for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: A person has a 10 years sentence, 4 years - 6 months suspended, and 5 years probation. How time is actually served?
Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Sep 15, 2022

I think the rule of thumb is to expect 85 percent. That's not a hard and fast rule I don't think but that's been my experience on felonies in Virginia. So if my math is right that should be about 4 years 8 months then subtract any time served... but I believe this can vary.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: I got a ticket for § 46.2-804. Are there points related to this charge?

I am in my mid-20s with a clean driving record. Is there any way to avoid having this on my record?

Also, the Virginia Judiciary Online Case System states that the charge is "fail to obey highway marking" but my summons says "improper lane change."

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Sep 9, 2022

It is a point violation in Virginia. You may be able hire an attorney who can get it dismissed with driving school.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Juvenile Law for Virginia on
Q: Long story short, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, speeding ticket, and out of state license

I am a minor, I got a speeding ticket for going 80 in a 35. I have court for that in 2 days from today. Today, I got the cops called on me for Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. I want to know the punishments that could potentially happen

Jennifer Alettia French
Jennifer Alettia French
answered on Aug 16, 2022

You should seek counsel. 80 in a 35 is not simple speeding but rather reckless driving, a class 1 misdemeanor where the punishment can include jail time.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: My son received a speeding ticket yesterday. He was doing 59 in a 45. The officer put on the ticket that he was 15 to 19

Over on the ticket. He was also in a work truck and he put down a personal vehicle

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Jun 22, 2022

I don't see where you have asked a question.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: If I received a speeding ticket in VA, the officer wrote female instead of a male, can my ticket be withdrawn?
Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on May 19, 2022

I don't know what you mean by withdrawn. You can go to court and plead not guilty but I don't know any judge that would accept that mistake as a legal defense if the identifying information on the ticket is otherwise correct. You may be able to get it reduced or dismissed by hiring a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: Hey I just received a ticket for disregarding speed limit. The cop said he let me of easy. I didnt see the sign.

The cop said he let me of easy(with disregarding speed limit instead of speeding I was going 57 on a 40). I didnt see a speed sign. Should I fight it? I don’t wanna get a worst offense. Also I was wearing headphones he let me off with that

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Apr 15, 2022

I would hire an attorney to get it reduced if you have a very good driving record you can do better.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: In VA, can I contest a speeding ticket with wrong vehicle information and win?

The ticket I received has a completely different vehicle listed and I've never owned a vehicle with the listed info. Info on the ticket: 2004 Chevy 2D and wrong license plate. My vehicle is a 2021 Dodge 2D and only first digit of the plate matches the ticket. The other digits don't match... View More

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Mar 5, 2022

Yes you can contest it of course with a not guilty plea. Your success depends on whether they can identify you and prove you drove the speed cited. They can amend the summons to fix that error. I doubt you will be successful but you might if the officer is confused and if you handle it right.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: i got a court date for driving with expired DL in herndon, VA.

Dmv Appointment is already booked before my dl expired, but dmv appointment i got is after my dl my expiration date.

Ann Thayer
Ann Thayer
answered on Jan 8, 2022

You should contact clerk to continue your case until after a date you go to dmv to fix license OR when you go to court take proof of date your dmv appt is set for and ask judge to continue case until after that date.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: Is it illegal to pass a moped doing 30 over the double yellow lines on a road with a 55 limit in Virginia?

I live on a road with no lines and a speed limit of 25. I ride my moped at 30 as that's all it will do. People pass me on this road. I turn onto a road with a double yellow and a speed limit of 55, people pass me here too, over the double yellow and without signalling. I turn onto route 60 and... View More

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Jan 7, 2022

You should probably get a car as it provides more protection and you won't have this issue. Consider yourself as a bicycle. Cars are going to pass and while they should give 3 feet they often don't. Driving on a 55 mph road isn't smart. Good luck and stay safe. You may be guilty of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: My daughter had a traffic stop in my car. A ticket was issued in my name. Is that right?

I was not in the car but I have to report to court?

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Dec 23, 2021

Unless it's for allowing an unlicensed person to drive then no that's not right. Hire a lawyer to get it dismissed.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Virginia on
Q: How can I be cited for failure to yield when SUV entered my lane and hit my front end sending me into the guardrail?

I waited until the lane was clear, the SUV was in right lane and merged when I’d entered left lane, hitting the front of my passenger side and sending me into the guardrail. I don’t understand how I could have been cited when I couldn’t have predicted that he would change lanes at an... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 14, 2021

A Virginia attorney could answer best, but your question remains open for three weeks. This looks like a setting where you were merging onto a main road from the left. Without knowing additional details, the general rule in virtually all jurisdictions is that vehicles proceeding in the main road... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: Will I get in further trouble for updating my license(out of state after moving) after receiving a ticket in Va?

If I go to the DMV and update my license, will I receive further penalty due to my current speeding ticket having my address down as from another state? I have lived in VA past 60 days without updating, but it has not yet expired.

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Sep 29, 2021

you shouldn't have any issues

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: What should I do? Update my license, pay my ticket first? If I update my license, will I possibly get in trouble?

My issue: I am living in VA, I have lived here for 2-3 years. I have a MO license, I got it there when I had turned 18. I had not updated it, as I was not aware I needed to. I have held it for 1 year while living in VA. Just recently, I got a speeding ticket for going 79/55. It was not reckless... View More

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Sep 29, 2021

You most certainly have a duty to update your license. There are limited exceptions for military/students but the law generally is you must update it within 60 days of moving here. Hire a lawyer to get the case in Virginia reduced or dismissed. That will help with points. But definitely fix the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: If I represent myself on traffic charge and found guilty can I ask for an apeal to get a lawyer ?
Paula Hough
Paula Hough
answered on Jul 27, 2021

Yes. You have 10 days from the date of your conviction to appeal your case to the Circuit Court. You can hire an attorney to represent you on that new court date.

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