Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas
February 25, 2015 by Jean Humbrecht
Driving 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit or driving more than 80 miles per hour is considered Reckless Driving in Manassas. Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas (Va. Code §46.2-862) is NOT a simple traffic infraction-it is a crime. A conviction for Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas will remain on a driver’s criminal record permanently.
What is the Difference Between Speeding and Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas?
The difference between speeding and Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas is the likelihood of injury to other users of the road. Speeding in Manassas is a traffic infraction, but Reckless Driving in Manassas is a crime. A driver can pre-pay a speeding ticket in Manassas but CANNOT pre-pay a fine for Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas. The driver MUST come to court because it is a criminal offense.
Proof of Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas
Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas is a Crime
To convict an offender of Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas, the Commonwealth must prove that the offender was driving more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit or drove more than 80 miles per hour.
A person commits Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas when he:
- drives
- a motor vehicle
- on a highway in the Commonwealth
- more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit or more than 80 miles per hour
Penalties for Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas
Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas under Va. Code §46.2-862 is a misdemeanor and is punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension, DMV demerit points, and possible enrollment in the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). There are also increased penalties for Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas if the offender was texting while driving or committed felony Reckless Driving.
Jail: Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas is punished with up to 12 months in jail. The higher the driver’s speed, the more likely it is that he will be sentenced to jail.
Fine: Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas can be punished with a fine up to $2,500.
Driver’s License Suspension: A driver’s license can be suspended for 60 days up to 6 months if he is convicted of Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas.
DMV Demerit Points: The DMV will automatically add 6 demerit points to the driving record of anyone convicted of Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas.
VASAP Referral: If the court believes that the Reckless Driving by speed charge in Manassas was alcohol or drug-related, it may order the driver to complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (Virginia ASAP) (Va. Code §46.2-392).
Texting while Driving: If the driver was texting or emailing during the commission of the offense that resulted in a Reckless Driving conviction, he will be fined a minimum of $250 (Va. Code §46.2-868(C)). Texting while Driving is also a separate offense under Va. Code §46.2-1078.1. A driver can be convicted of both Reckless Driving and Texting while Driving in Manassas and will have a mandatory minimum fine for both offenses. Click here for more information on Texting while Driving in Manassas under Va. Code §46.2-1078.1.
Felony Reckless Driving
Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas is Punished with Jail, Fines, Driver’s License Suspension, and DMV Points
Reckless Driving in Manassas can sometimes be charged as a felony. If the offender was driving while suspended or revoked for a moving violation and caused the death of another person as a result of the reckless driving, he will be charged with a Class 6 felony (Va. Code §46.2-868(B)). Felony Reckless Driving in Manassas is punished with up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, and driver’s license revocation for 1 year.
For more information on felony Reckless Driving charges in Manassas, click here.
Other Consequences of Reckless Driving by Speed in Manassas
There could be many other consequences to a driver convicted of Reckless Driving by speed in Manassas, including insurance premium increases, loss of educational and employment opportunities, loss of security clearances, and immigration consequences, among others.