I Just Received a Ticket for Excessive Speeding (100 mph) in Virginia; What Should I Do?

For some drivers, the urge to speed on Virginia’s long stretches of highway is too great to control. They simply keep accelerating until they’re traveling at speeds well over the posted speed limit, likely assuming that if they do get pulled over by a police officer, they’ll be sent along with nothing more than a small ticket for their infraction. Unfortunately, however, it is exactly this thinking, combined with a general misunderstanding of Virginia laws, that cause many drivers in Virginia each year to be charged with a serious crime, and one that can have lasting effects on their future.

Indeed, whereas many other states treat speeding, and even traveling at excessive speeds, as traffic offenses that come with nothing more than a fine and points on a driver’s license, Virginia has cracked down on the act of speeding by making it a criminal act in many cases. As such, if you have received a ticket for excessive speeding in Virginia, it is imperative that you understand the consequences you face, and that you reach out to an experienced attorney immediately to help protect your rights.

Driving Over 100 mph in Virginia

While a driver may be pulled over for traveling well over the speed limit, this action falls into one broader category: reckless driving. To be sure, reckless driving, as defined under Virginia law, includes both driving 20 miles per hour over the set speed limit, as well as over 80 miles per hour, regardless of the speed limit on the road. This means that drivers can travel 19 miles per hour over the speed limit in a 40 mile-per-hour zone without facing criminal charges; however, going 19 miles per hour over the limit in a 65 mile-per-hour zone, or 84 miles per hour, is still considered a violation of this statute. And unfortunately, the penalties for breaking this law are extremely severe, and extend simply beyond receiving a fine and points.

If You Have Been Excessive Speeding in Virginia, it is Imperative that You Contact an Attorney Immediately

It is absolutely imperative that you reach out to a skilled Virginia attorney as soon as possible if you are facing these charges. By hiring an attorney, you are taking the first step necessary in protecting your rights throughout the criminal process.

It is important to understand that a charge is not the same as a conviction; as such, a dedicated Virginia criminal attorney can present many defenses that may lower the charges or push for an acquittal altogether. For example, at Olmstead & Olmstead our criminal defense attorneys may argue that the officer was not operating the speed detection technology properly, or that the technology itself was calibrated incorrectly, and offered an incorrect reading of your speed at the time of the traffic stop. Both of these, among others, could be used in your defense in court.

Let Us Help You Today

There is no time to waste if you have been charged with excessive speeding at 100 miles per hour in Virginia. At the office of Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C., our experienced Virginia attorneys have significant experience helping clients facing criminal charges, and we are prepared to begin working aggressively on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at (703) 361-1555 for a consultation on your case or use our convenient contact form.