Traffic Lawyer Fairfax VA
Earning a graduated driver’s license (GDL) is a significant accomplishment. Before an aspiring motorist is granted a GDL, he or she must attend hours of classes, take difficult tests, and generally learn the rules of the road inside and out. However, even the most conscientious student may make mistakes during his or her first several months behind the wheel.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are more likely to be involved in accidents than any other motorist age group. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of the nation’s newest motorists also receive traffic tickets during their years as holders of GDLs.
Receiving one’s first ticket for a traffic infraction, whether or not an accident resulted as a result of the alleged misconduct, can be a uniquely stressful experience. It is important to understand that speaking with a traffic lawyer can help you to grasp the objective severity of the situation.
Sometimes the process of receiving a ticket is very stressful but the consequences of the ticket itself are minimal. Other times, conviction of a traffic infraction can lead to severe consequences. It is therefore generally a good idea to speak with a traffic lawyer in Fairfax VA before your emotions inspire you to either lose your composure or dismiss potential consequences as “no big deal.” Every situation is unique and an attorney can help you to navigate yours.
One of the reasons why each ticket is unique is that each state treats both traffic violations and GDLs differently. In some states, certain distracted driving habits are treated as reckless, whereas in other states the same behaviors would be treated as “merely” negligent. The severity of consequences associated with a ticket depends on both the circumstances surrounding the infraction and the jurisdiction where the infraction allegedly occurred.
Depending on the nature of the infraction, pleading guilty or being convicted of the specified offense could result in fines, license suspension, incarceration, community service, and/or additional educational requirements. There are few hard and fast rules when it comes to GDL infractions because each defense may be structured differently. For example, a driver who runs into a tree because he or she was using his or her phone to access social media and got distracted will likely be treated more harshly than a driver who ran into a tree after becoming distracted by a small child running into the road.
Answers to Additional Questions
If you have questions related to driving infractions, please consider speaking with a traffic lawyer Fairfax VA clients recommend. Lawyers who specialize in criminal defense may advise you in regards to your legal options, even if the infraction you have been accused of is as minor as a failure to utilize your turn signal. Attorney consultations are confidential and may be helpful in any number of ways. At minimum, you will place yourself in the best possible position to make decisions related to your situation once you have obtained counsel from an attorney with years of legal experience.