Source: https://www.edmundmichielaw.com/traffic-tickets-virginia.html
Timestamp: 2019-11-18 04:47:05
Document Index: 165825504

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 18', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 46', '§ 46']

Edmund Michie, Esq. ∣ 30+ Years Experience; Traffic tickets ∣ Central VA - EDMUND MICHIE, ESQ. ∣ 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE; CRIMINAL, TRAFFIC, DUI, WORKERS&RSQUO; COMP ∣ CENTRAL VA
Traffic & Motor Vehicle Cases
​Whether You Decide to Hire an Attorney
I represent clients on all traffic infractions but below are the most common.
Driving on a Suspended License or as a Habitual Offender or with No License
Trucking / Trucker Violations
Other Common Traffic Violations
Traffic Signal and Sign Violations
Passing and Turning Violations
Criminal Law versus Traffic Infractions
Many motor vehicle tickets are in fact criminal charges -- including Reckless Driving, in all its various forms, which not only carries the potential for up to six months' loss of license but also is a First Class Misdemeanor (which all carry a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine). Other motor vehicle related misdemeanors include: driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving outside license restrictions, driving as a habitual offender (which can even be a felony), hit and run/leaving the scene of an accident, aggressive driving, passing a stopped school bus (one version of the charge), eluding police, and of course DWI / DUI / DUID.
Per Va. Code § 18.2-8, "Traffic infractions are violations of public order as defined in § 46.2-100 and not deemed to be criminal in nature." Traffic infractions carry only the possibility of a fine. Va. Code § 46.2-113 Fortunately, the Code also provides that even though traffic infractions are not criminal, a defendant still needs to be proven guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" to be convicted. Va. Code § 18.2-258.1
​ Traffic infractions include: simple speeding, failing to yield, following too closely, improper turning and passing, running a red light or stop sign, vehicle equipment problems, vehicle registration type issues, and about a hundred other vehicle missteps that are listed primarily in Chapter 8 of Va Code title 46.2.
If you don't show up for court for a simple traffic infraction, you can expect the court to have a "trial" in your absence and find you guilty. Va. Code § 18.2-258.1. If you don't pay the resulting fine and court costs in a timely manner thereafter, expect that your Virginia driver's license will be suspended or -- if you have an out-of-state license -- that your privilege to drive in Virginia will be suspended. Va. Code § 46.2-395.
If you don't show up for a motor vehicle violation that is a misdemeanor (and not just an infraction), then the court can charge you with failure to appear and issue a warrant for your arrest. The failure to appear is a separate criminal charge carrying its own penalties. A failure to appear alone can also lead to a license suspension. See Va. Code § 46.2-938.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will also put negative "points" on your record for motor vehicle convictions, based on its ranking of the severity of the violation.
Of course, your insurance company can also hold motor vehicle convictions against you, depending on the terms of your policy. Note that your insurance company is not bound in any way by the DMV point system (for better or worse).