Fincastle Traffic Violations Attorney You Can Trust
One minor mistake can lead to a traffic stop that can permanently alter the course of your life in minutes. If you’ve been charged with speeding, reckless driving, or DUI/DWI in Roanoke County, Botetourt County, or a neighboring Southwest Virginia community, the consequences could include jail time, a criminal record and the loss of your driving privileges. You need an attorney who knows how to fight for your future.
I am attorney Mac Doubles of Wiegandt & Doubles, P.C., and I have more than 30 years of legal experience and can help protect your rights and your driving record. Instead of simply accepting the charges, I can explain the potential consequences (including legal, professional and personal). I can help you take appropriate action to mitigate the potential penalties or even have the charges dismissed.
What Do I Need To Know About Virginia Traffic Violations?
In Virginia, traffic violations range from minor infractions to serious criminal offenses that can turn your life upside down. As a Fincastle traffic violations attorney with decades of experience, I’ve seen how quickly a routine traffic stop can escalate into charges that threaten your driving privileges, employment and freedom.
Virginia categorizes traffic offenses into two main types: infractions (civil penalties) and misdemeanors (criminal charges). Understanding this distinction is critical because it determines whether you’ll simply pay a fine or face a criminal record. Traffic violations in Virginia take many forms, and each carries different consequences:
- Speeding tickets: Standard speeding violations add points to your license and increase insurance rates
- Reckless driving: A misdemeanor carrying potential jail time, hefty fines and a permanent criminal record that includes speed-related offenses, aggressive driving, racing, passing a stopped school bus, and driving with faulty brakes
- DUI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances
- Improper driving: Often used as a reduced charge in plea negotiations
- Tailgating: Following too closely
- Failure to obey traffic signals or signs: Includes running red lights and stop signs
- Driving on a suspended license: Can result in additional license suspension and criminal penalties
- Improper lane changes: Unsafe lane switching without signaling
- Hit and run: Serious criminal offense with mandatory penalties
Many people don’t realize that reckless driving isn’t just a ticket – it’s a criminal charge that appears on background checks and can affect professional licenses, CDL holders, security clearances and future employment. My Fincastle criminal defense law firm has successfully defended countless clients against these charges.
There’s More At Stake Than You Might Think
Did you know that in Virginia, reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor? More than just paying a fine or adding points to your driver’s license, a reckless driving charge means you could have a permanent criminal record, which could result in the suspension of your license, your job if you have a professional license (CDL), land you in jail and compromise other future employment or education opportunities.
You shouldn’t take these and other traffic violation charges lightly. Whether you are from outside the state and were stopped while passing through Botetourt County or Roanoke County, or you live in Fincastle or a neighboring community and need representation, I can help you by:
- Sitting down with you and reviewing the circumstances of the stop
- Determining if the authorities acted appropriately or otherwise violated your rights during the stop
- Reviewing the evidence and investigating the circumstances of your case
- Answering questions you have about potential outcomes
- Looking for opportunities to have the charges dropped (more likely if this is your first offense)
- Looking for opportunities to have the speed or other aspects of the charges reduced to mitigate the consequences (for example, reduce the charges from reckless driving to speeding)
- Protecting your driving privileges by avoiding the suspension or revocation of your license
- Pursuing the best possible outcome in your case, which could mean reaching a plea agreement or if it’s in your interests, taking your case to trial
Don’t assume that your citation is just a routine violation. Consider the consequences and learn how I can help you.
Why Should I Hire Wiegandt & Doubles, To Defend Me Against My Traffic Case?
When you’re facing traffic violations that could impact your record and livelihood, you need a traffic lawyer who understands the stakes and knows how to fight for the best outcome. My practice offers distinct advantages for clients facing traffic charges:
- I’ve protected clients for over 30 years
- I have worked on both sides as a former prosecutor, giving me unique insight into how prosecutors build their cases
- I guide you through every step with clear communication and realistic expectations
- Clients describe me as an extremely capable and intelligent attorney who delivers results
No matter what traffic violations you face, I’ll thoroughly investigate your case, challenge improper stops, and fight to protect your driving record and your future.
Answers To Common Questions About Virginia Traffic Offenses
When you receive a traffic summons in Virginia, you face specific court procedures and legal obligations. Below, I answer several questions that drivers routinely ask me after receiving a citation in our local courts. My goal is to give you clear facts so you know what to expect before your scheduled trial date.
Do I have to appear in court for a Virginia traffic ticket?
Whether you must appear in court depends on the charge listed on your summons. Standard traffic infractions frequently allow you to prepay the fine, while serious criminal charges such as DUI, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and hit-and-run require a court appearance.
If you live outside Virginia, it is especially important to check your summons, as an attorney can often waive your personal appearance and present your case on your behalf. Furthermore, prepaying a ticket is an explicit admission of guilt that results in a conviction on your driving record, so it is essential to carefully evaluate your options before sending payment.
What happens if I miss my Virginia traffic court date?
Missing a traffic court date can make a bad situation much worse. If you fail to show up for a minor ticket, the judge will likely try you in absentia, convict you and assess fines along with court costs. For misdemeanor offenses, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest, suspend your driver’s license and impose extra criminal penalties.
It is important to address a missed court date quickly to keep the consequences from escalating. You can appeal to the Circuit Court within 10 days for a new trial or request a rehearing within 60 days. Crucially, requesting a rehearing does not pause the strict 10-day appeal deadline.
Can traffic violations affect a security clearance or professional license?
Certain traffic convictions can create serious problems for people who hold professional licenses, government jobs or security clearances. Charges involving alcohol, reckless behavior, driving while suspended or criminal traffic offenses trigger heightened scrutiny from background screeners and oversight boards. The effect depends on the specific profession, employer, licensing board and seriousness of the offense.
Protecting a clean record is especially critical for commercial drivers (CDL holders) whose careers depend on trust, responsibility and passing routine background checks. Federal rules require CDL holders to report any traffic conviction, even one received in a personal vehicle, to their employer within 30 days.
Additionally, accumulating demerit points can escalate to a driver’s license suspension for professionals and CDL holders. This outcome generally triggers mandatory reporting to employers, professional boards and clearance adjudicators.
Call A Local Lawyer Committed To Helping Drivers In Virginia And From Outside The State
Schedule your consultation with me, attorney Mac Doubles, at my Fincastle law office by calling at 540-254-0172 or toll-free at 877-232-0715. You can also send me an email.