There is no doubt that reckless driving is considered as a severe crime and is not treated as an ordinary traffic infraction. In addition to the general traffic violations, there are 13 specific reckless driving violations and crimes which can result in severe fine penalty charges in Virginia. The statutory scheme in Virginia is tougher as compared to its neighboring states, as it penalizes reckless driving as a crime instead of an ordinary traffic violation. Some people may have the confusion of taking reckless driving as a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. It is also necessary to increase the penalty for failing to stop or yield from a traffic violation to a reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia.
The two general Virginia codes which deal with the reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia are Va. Code § 46.2‐821 or § 46.2‐833. These two Virginia codes state that any person who fails to stop or yield after breaking a traffic signal or don’t stop if a law enforcement or patrol officer stops him or her at a controlled intersection, then that person will be charged with a fine offense and will be treated in accordance to the reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. The question arises if the violation of Va. Code § 46.2‐833, should be considered as a reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia or not?
The answer is simple. Reckless driving is considered as a class 2 misdemeanor in other states such as West Virginia, which includes failure to yield or stop at reckless driving violations. The penalty charges can be a mandatory of $500. So the general Virginia code violations are treated as reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia.
The Virginia Code regarding Reckless Driving
The Virginia Code § 46.2-868 regarding reckless driving penalties, state that any person who is found guilty or convicted of driving recklessly shall be guilty of reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. This would include the following provisions of this code:
- Driving without a proper and authentic driver’s license due to suspension or revocation
- The fine penalty punishment for any person who is accused of reckless driving crime pays a mandatory fine of $250
Other violations related to reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia also include driving recklessly above 80 miles per hour on the highway. Reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia is the most serious class of misdemeanor in Virginia. So if you get convicted, then there is no expungement of this charge, and you might end up having a permanent criminal record because of reckless driving. Reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia is considered as the most serious crime in all traffic violations and can have harsh and severe consequences.
The conviction of reckless driving with speeding can be treated just like any other reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, where prior driving history record is fully reviewed and evaluated. Class 1 misdemeanor is the highest class of misdemeanor, so it is necessary for you to avoid getting convicted in accordance to it.