If you have been charged with reckless driving, you could be convicted of a misdemeanor offense that can result in fines, jail sentence, and a permanent criminal record. You need to do everything you can to avoid the harsh, long-term consequences you face. In some cases, taking a driving improvement course before your court hearing can be beneficial. Traffic school for reckless driving

What Is a Driving Improvement Course?

For a driving improvement course to help your case, it must be one approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A list of approved traffic schools can be found on the DMV website. These classes are approximately eight hours long, and you must take a final exam at the end of it. Some courses are offered online. The price can vary but generally cost less than $100.

How a Driving Improvement Course Can Help Your Case

Taking a traffic school course can sometimes help in certain reckless driving cases; however, it may have little impact on the outcome of others. Factors that influence this include the jurisdiction where your case is being heard, the judge assigned to your case, and the particular facts surrounding your charges. Here are ways that taking the course can be beneficial:

  • If you only have no speeding tickets and this is your first reckless driving offense, taking a driving improvement course may result in the charges being dismissed or reduced to a speeding violation.
  • When you have a poor driving record or your reckless driving involved driving at a high speed or risked injury to another person or property, taking a course may convince the prosecutor and judge that you take the charges seriously.
  • You can reduce your DMV points by five points, and this may help when you are sentenced.
  • Your insurance rates may be reduced if your insurance company gives a reduction for taking this class.

An experienced reckless driving attorney can explain whether taking a traffic school class before your court hearing is a good strategy and what defenses you may have that can help fight the charges you face. Call our Petersburg office, or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a free consultation.

 

Charles V. Hardenbergh
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