How to Read Your VA Speeding Ticket
If you were recently pulled over and ticketed for speeding in Virginia, you may be tempted to simply pay the fine and move on. However, you should know that penalties for Virginia traffic tickets are notoriously harsh, and even minor violations can add up over time to create major trouble.
Before you make any decisions about how you will handle your situation, it’s important to understand your alleged violation and the potential consequences you face. To do that, you’ll need to know how to read your speeding ticket.
What Is a Speeding Ticket?
A speeding ticket is a written citation issued by a law enforcement officer after they pull you over for exceeding the speed limit. Speeding tickets contain information about what the officer says you were doing and any traffic laws you allegedly violated in the process.
If there are any consequences for the speeding violation, your speeding ticket should have details about how you can address them. This could include information about any fines you are expected to pay or dates for required court appearances.
The type of citation and severity of any consequences will depend on where you were, what the speed limit was, and how fast you were going when the officer stopped you. If your speed was only a few miles per hour over the speed limit, you may drive away with a warning. If you were racing or driving significantly faster than the posted speed limit, you could receive a more serious citation or even criminal charges.
How to Read Your Speeding Ticket
If you’re wondering how to read a Virginia speeding ticket, the first thing you should do is start at the top. Some of the first lines of information should include your name, contact information, and identifying details. There will likely also be a citation number, which can be useful if you need to contact the police department for information.
Underneath these details, there should also be information about your vehicle, your license, and the offense itself. In most cases, officers will include the location and date of the violation and reference any specific sections of the law that pertain to the offense.
Finally, the ticket should contain details about whether and when you’ll need to appear in court and information on how to find out the amount of the fine and costs. This information may be on the front or back, so be sure to carefully examine all of the text carefully when you’re reading a speeding ticket.
How to Tell If Your Ticket Is Actually a Reckless Driving Citation
Reckless driving is one of the most serious Virginia traffic violations, qualifying as a class one misdemeanor. If you are convicted of a reckless driving charge, you could face severe penalties such as points against your license, a fine of up to $2,500, and up to one year in jail.
You can be charged with reckless driving if you are caught driving more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. If you exceed 85 miles per hour on any Virginia road, you can be charged with reckless driving regardless of the posted speed limit.
Contact an Experienced Speeding Ticket Lawyer in Virginia Today
If you received a Richmond, VA speeding ticket, you might have options for reducing the severity of the charges or even having the ticket dismissed entirely. Virginia traffic ticket attorney Samantha Upton can help you understand your rights and pursue the best possible outcome for your situation.
Contact Upton Law, PLLC, for a professional assessment of your Virginia speeding ticket case in a free, confidential consultation.