reckless driving lawyer Shirlington
Drivers stopped in Shirlington are often surprised to learn the paper in their hand is a misdemeanor summons. Reckless driving in Virginia is a criminal charge carrying jail exposure, and a conviction is a criminal conviction rather than a traffic entry. Arlington County General District Court hears the case. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles these matters. Call (888) 437-7747.
What This Charge Carries
Because the offense is a misdemeanor, a conviction is a criminal conviction. It appears on background checks in a way a speeding ticket does not, and for anyone holding a security clearance, a professional licence, or a commercial driver’s licence, that is frequently the consequence that matters most. The fine is rarely the part of the outcome that has lasting effect.
Which Court Hears the Case
Charges from Shirlington are heard at Arlington County General District Court, located at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201. The General District Court sits without a jury. Conviction there can be appealed of right to the circuit court, which conducts a new trial rather than reviewing the record, and a jury is available at that level. Court practice varies between jurisdictions, which is a reason local familiarity matters.
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
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.
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.
Can I just pay it like a ticket?
No. A misdemeanor is not prepayable in the way an infraction is. The charge requires a court disposition, and ignoring the date can lead to a capias being issued.
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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