reckless driving lawyer Vienna

What makes a Vienna reckless driving charge different from speeding is the classification. Under Va. Code 46.2-862 the offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, exposing a driver to up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and a licence suspension of up to six months. Cases are heard in Fairfax County General District Court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles them. Call (888) 437-7747.

What This Charge Carries

Va. Code 46.2-869 allows the judge, on a reckless driving charge, to find a defendant not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving where the degree of culpability is slight. Improper driving is a traffic infraction with a fine of not more than $500 rather than a misdemeanor. That disposition comes from the court and is not something the Commonwealth grants on its own.

Which Court Hears the Case

The General District Court serving Fairfax County hears this charge, at Fairfax County General District Court, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 210, Fairfax, VA 22030. Appearance is generally expected because the offense is a misdemeanor rather than an infraction. Whether counsel can appear for an out-of-state driver depends on the charge and the practice of the court, and it should be confirmed in advance rather than assumed.

What to Do Before Your Court Date

Obtain your driving record so you know what the court will see. Where a speed reading is disputed, a speedometer calibration has to be obtained promptly and from a source the court will accept. Completing a driver improvement course before the hearing carries more weight than offering to complete one afterwards. Do not miss the date: a misdemeanor summons is not prepayable, and a failure to appear creates a second problem on top of the first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a criminal charge in Virginia?

Yes. Under Va. Code 46.2-852 and Va. Code 46.2-862 it is a Class 1 misdemeanor, not a traffic infraction. A conviction is a criminal conviction and appears on a background check as one.

Will I lose my licence?

The statute permits a suspension of up to six months. Whether one is imposed depends on the speed, the record, and the court. Any court-ordered suspension is separate from administrative action by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Can the charge be reduced?

Va. Code 46.2-869 permits the judge to find a defendant not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving where culpability is slight. That is a traffic infraction with a fine of not more than $500, and only the court can grant it.

About Mr. Sris

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997 and is a former prosecutor. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background at George Mason University in accounting and information systems applies to the technical side of a speed case. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle Virginia matters together.

Related pages

• Reckless driving by speed in Virginia
• Virginia reckless driving penalties
• Defending a Virginia reckless driving charge
• Virginia reckless driving offenses

Speak With Mr. Sris

Request a consultation. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Bring the summons, your court date, and your driving record. Tell us if you are an out-of-state driver.

Last updated: August 25, 2026

This page provides general information about Virginia traffic and criminal law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

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