Sussex

What You Need to Know About Your Sussex, County Va Reckless Driving Ticket

Reckless driving ticket in Sussex county, VA

Reckless Driving Ticket in Sussex, County VA: Everything You Need to Know

Did you get a reckless driving ticket in Sussex, County VA? If so, you need to know what this means. Virginia law treats reckless driving by speed, (yes, 11 mph over is RECKLESS DRIVING) much different than speeding. 

What is the difference between speeding and Sussex reckless driving? Speeding tickets are written under law section 46.2-870 through 46.2-878. The maximum penalty for most speeding tickets in Virginia is a fine of $250. It is a traffic infraction and not a criminal misdemeanor. 

Virginia reckless driving is not a speeding ticket. The range of punishment is: 
  • fine up to $2500
  • license suspension up to 6 months
  • jail up to one year (jail in Sussex is only given at 100 mph and up in most cases)
  • permanent criminal record that never goes away and can never be expunged
The range of punishment above is the DIRECT consequences for Sussex reckless driving. However, Sussex, County reckless driving tickets also have many potential INDIRECT consequences that you would not normally think of for driving 16 mph over the speed limit: 
  1. reckless driving shows up on employer background checks
    1. this is permanent, we have taken calls from people who have lost jobs ten years after a conviction for reckless driving
    2. at that point, we cannot fix it and we cannot expunge it
  2. reckless driving impacts security clearances
    1. military
    2. anyone subject to a background clearance
    3. civilian contractors
  3. rental agencies usually WILL NOT rent a vehicle to someone who has a reckless driving charge
  4. insurance premium increases SUBSTANTIALLY go up
    1. the average rate increase for reckless driving is second only to DUI
    2. insurance companies greatly increase your rates
  5. license suspension for out of state drivers
    1. a scary truth most police officers (and the courts) don't know is that out of state drivers often have an automatic license suspension even at 16 mph over (86 mph in 70)
We say all of this to make sure that you understand exactly what reckless driving is. It is not a speeding ticket, and if you don't get this reduced then you may face consequences that you did not even consider. 

How do I Avoid a Sussex, VA Reckless Driving Ticket?

If you have a reckless driving ticket in Sussex County, Virginia then you will want to get the charge reduced. There are a number of ways an experienced attorney in Sussex can help lower your charge. Every court is different in how they handle reckless driving tickets. As traffic attorneys, we routinely get these cases reduced and sometimes dismissed. We look for the following: 
  1. is there a legal defense to exploit
    1. this can take the form of a radar/laser/lidar/pacing error
    2. this could be an error on the ticket
    3. this might be a different problem with the evidence
  2. If there is not a legal defense, what is the best path forward?
    1. there are ways to prepare a traffic case to get the best outcome possible
    2. talk to the prosecutor if they get involved
    3. talk to the officer
Leavitt & Martin has personally handled THOUSANDS of Virginia reckless driving cases. We have been handling cases in Sussex, County Virginia since 2010. Sussex has traffic court on Tuesday and on Thursday. The Thursday docket is for traffic tickets written by the Virginia State Police. The Tuesday docket is for tickets written by the Sussex County Sheriff's Department or the Town of Waverly. 

There are two different judges, and they both have their own ways of handling cases. These judges also rotate to Greensville, Emporia, Brunswick, and other locations within the 6th judicial district. We see these judges in multiple locations several times a week so we know EXACTLY what to expect and how to prepare each case. 

What is the Cost of a Sussex County Virginia Reckless Driving Ticket? What is the Fine?

When you negotiate the price of a new vehicle, you always want to negotiate the "out the door" price. I learned this quickly when I bought my first vehicle from a dealership. The reason is that after I had negotiated the price down, the dealer added on extra "document" fees and other fees. 

When someone asks what the cost is for a reckless driving ticket, they need to be aware of the TRUE COST. The true cost of a Sussex County, VA reckless driving ticket is: 

TRUE COST = any and all direct costs plus other indirect costs

Direct costs are the fine the judge sets, plus court costs. Other direct costs would be the cost for you to show up in person (if required). Some courts will allow you to call them and they will quote you a price for paying the fine and costs. If you pay this, you are pleading guilty to criminal misdemeanor reckless driving. Because of this, there are often "hidden costs" that no one will tell you about. These are the indirect costs. 

Indirect costs can vary significantly. Here are some potential costs that you would not necessarily consider: 
  1. employment consequences
  2. insurance issues
  3. license suspension issues for out of state drivers
There are a million potential consequences for reckless driving convictions. If you don't get your charge reduced, you have a permanent criminal record. It never goes away and it can never be expunged. 


Reckless Driving Lawyer in VA

Virginia reckless driving and speeding tickets can have consequences that you don't think about. If you need help with a traffic ticket, contact a Virginia reckless driving lawyer who has helped THOUSANDS of clients. Leavitt & Martin knows what to expect for each case we handle. We serve the following locations: 
  • Emporia
  • Greensville
  • Sussex
  • Brunswick
  • Hopewell
  • Petersburg
  • Mecklenburg
  • Dinwiddie
  • Hanover
  • Chesterfield
  • New Kent
  • Henrico
  • Richmond
  • Prince George
  • Amelia
  • Colonial Heights

Sussex General District Court Information



Sussex General District Court Address

P. O. Box 1315
15098 Courthouse Road
State Route 735
Sussex, VA 23884


Share by: