Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense and not a traffic violation in Virginia. In very serious cases, it can be charged as a felony. Most often when you’re charged with a misdemeanor, you’re arrested. However, a reckless driving charge usually gets you a ticket and a request from the police officer to sign it. It’s important to understand what happens if you comply with this request.
A Reckless Driving Ticket Is Really A Summons to Appear in Court
The ticket that the police hands you when charging you with reckless driving is really a summons to appear in court. It will have the date, time, and location of where you must appear. Signing the ticket means:
- You are promising to appear in court on the date and time listed on the summons.
- You are not admitting guilt or making any other admission.
What Happens If You Refuse to Sign a Reckless Driving Ticket?
If you refuse to sign the summons or the officer has other reasons to believe that you will not appear in court, he will most likely arrest you and take you to the police station to be booked. To avoid this from happening, it is best to sign the ticket whether or not you believe you are guilty. Then you should immediately retain an experienced reckless driving attorney.
Let Us Help You Fight Reckless Driving Charges
If you have been charged with reckless driving in Petersburg, attorney Charles V. Hardenbergh is here to build a strong defense to the charges you face and collect the evidence you need for your case. To learn about his track record of success and what to expect in your criminal proceedings, call our Petersburg office, or fill out our online form to schedule your free initial consultation today.
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