I was pulled over for drag racing on the highway

In August of 2014, Pop Star Justin Bieber plead guilty to lesser charges in what was originally described by witnesses as an illegal street drag race. The 20-year-old singer plead guilty to misdemeanor careless driving and resisting arrest without violence charges, instead of the original driving under the influence charge. Bieber also agreed to take an anger management class and donate $50,000 to a charitable cause, as well as paying court-ordered fines. The good news for “The Bieb” was that he didn’t have to serve any jail time.

The Dangers of Illegal Street Racing

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 100 individuals lose their lives each year from street racing incidents in the United States and hundreds more are hurt to varying degrees. Virginia residents who are implicated in a street racing crash could be charged with reckless driving, vehicular assault, or vehicular manslaughter. Virginia law also allows for the seizure and forfeiture of vehicles involved in certain Racing incidents.

Possible Charges

Drag racing in Virginia can result in a criminal charge, and can be categorized several ways. Some of the charges you could face are:

• Reckless Driving – any person who engages in a race between two or more vehicles on any highway, driveway or premise, unless previously authorized, is guilty of Reckless Driving, a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the defendant’s driver’s license must be suspended for a minimum of six months.
• Vehicular Assault – physically harming someone while operating a motor vehicle, while also being liable for the injury and damage you cause in civil court. This is a Class 6 Felony and upon conviction, the defendant’s driver’s license must be suspended for at least one year.
• Vehicular Manslaughter – the crime of causing the death of a person while engaging in Racing. This serious crime is charged as a felony punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of one year up to twenty years.

Reckless Driving Defense Attorney in Chesapeake, Virginia

Call us today for an assessment of your traffic ticket and driving record situation in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, VA
The law firm of Shannon & Associates, P.C. is located in Chesapeake. We have served the southeastern Virginia area for more than 15 years. Call (757) 228-5529 or send us a message online to schedule an appointment. Per our policy, we will respond within 24 hours.