Virginia Traffic Court
Warren Redlich asked:
Traffic court in Virginia is generally held in the General District Court. Some of the more serious offenses, like a felony DUI, might be handled in a Circuit Court, but most cases are in the district courts. In most of the state, each county and city have their own district court and circuit court, though there are some exceptions.
Speeding tickets in Virginia can carry hefty penalties. Going 81 miles per hour in most states means a fine of between $100 and $400 or so. Not here. If the speed is 20 or more over the limit, or over 80 anywhere, the fine is up to $2500, and it’s considered reckless driving in Virginia Traffic Court. That makes it a crime, not just a violation. It carries 6 points and stays on your record for a long, long time. On top of that, in 2007 the VA legislature added a new surcharge throwing another $1000 onto the costs - and that’s mandatory. This was repealed in 2008 but when the next budget crunch comes, it could return.
And that’s not all. In theory at least you can get jail time. It’s not likely, but the maximum sentence is a year. And your right to drive can be suspended too. Then there’s the impact on your insurance rates. And even for lower speeds, the maximum fine is $500.
Traffic courts in VA also handle DUI cases. The fines can be high, up to $2500 for a first offense, though it is typically well below $1000. Jail time is also possible, but still rare for minor first-time offenders. And the guilty drunk driver loses driving privileges for a year, though it is possible to get a restricted license to drive to and from work. In more serious cases such as a high blood-alcohol content, an accident, or a repeat offender, jail time becomes more likely, the fines go up, and other consequences are more severe as well.
With such serious consequences, it’s not a bad idea to consult with a lawyer before going to traffic court in Virginia.
Traffic court in Virginia is generally held in the General District Court. Some of the more serious offenses, like a felony DUI, might be handled in a Circuit Court, but most cases are in the district courts. In most of the state, each county and city have their own district court and circuit court, though there are some exceptions.
Speeding tickets in Virginia can carry hefty penalties. Going 81 miles per hour in most states means a fine of between $100 and $400 or so. Not here. If the speed is 20 or more over the limit, or over 80 anywhere, the fine is up to $2500, and it’s considered reckless driving in Virginia Traffic Court. That makes it a crime, not just a violation. It carries 6 points and stays on your record for a long, long time. On top of that, in 2007 the VA legislature added a new surcharge throwing another $1000 onto the costs - and that’s mandatory. This was repealed in 2008 but when the next budget crunch comes, it could return.
And that’s not all. In theory at least you can get jail time. It’s not likely, but the maximum sentence is a year. And your right to drive can be suspended too. Then there’s the impact on your insurance rates. And even for lower speeds, the maximum fine is $500.
Traffic courts in VA also handle DUI cases. The fines can be high, up to $2500 for a first offense, though it is typically well below $1000. Jail time is also possible, but still rare for minor first-time offenders. And the guilty drunk driver loses driving privileges for a year, though it is possible to get a restricted license to drive to and from work. In more serious cases such as a high blood-alcohol content, an accident, or a repeat offender, jail time becomes more likely, the fines go up, and other consequences are more severe as well.
With such serious consequences, it’s not a bad idea to consult with a lawyer before going to traffic court in Virginia.