Fairfax Traffic Lawyer
Traffic charges in Virginia run from a citation you could pay online to a criminal charge that leaves a record. Where yours sits on that scale decides almost everything about how it should be handled.
I handle the whole range, in Fairfax and in courts across the Commonwealth.
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Virginia State Bar, admitted 22 years. 20+ years in Fairfax County courts.
Free consultation
Tell me about your case.
The first conversation is free and usually takes about fifteen minutes.
No cost and no obligation. Prefer to call? (703) 585-3323
Not every ticket is the same problem.
Reckless driving, including by speed, is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. It creates a permanent criminal record. A speeding ticket is not criminal, but it still gets reported. The points go on your driving record — and depending on the number of points and your history, that can trigger DMV consequences. In Virginia, 12 points in 12 months can trigger DMV action and lead to a suspension.
Speeding
Points, insurance, and at 20 over or 85 mph it stops being a ticket. See speeding tickets.
Reckless driving
A Class 1 misdemeanor, not a traffic matter. See reckless driving.
Driving on a suspended license
Va. Code § 46.2-301, and it compounds with each charge. See suspended license.
Driving without a license
Often a paperwork problem rather than a driving one, and frequently resolvable once the right documents are in front of the court.
DUI and DWI
Va. Code § 18.2-266. These turn on the stop itself, the grounds for it, and how the testing was carried out. The consequences reach well past the courtroom.
CDL violations
If you drive for a living, the license is the job. Commercial holders are held to a stricter standard and have more to lose from an ordinary conviction.
And you should be aware — federal masking statutes make these charges much more difficult in court. What a court can do to keep a ticket off a regular driving record, it often cannot do for a CDL.
The fine is rarely the cost.
People pay tickets to make them go away. What goes away is the court date. The conviction, the points and the insurance consequence all stay.
Whether it is worth defending depends on your record, your job and the charge. That is a five-minute conversation, and it is free.
- Points. They accumulate, and enough of them suspends you.
- Insurance. Priced at renewal, and it stays priced for years.
- Your job. Commercial drivers and anyone who drives for work carry more risk from the same conviction.
- Your record. Misdemeanor traffic charges are criminal, and Virginia does not expunge convictions.
Traffic charges in Virginia.
Do I have to appear in court?
It depends on the charge. Minor infractions can often be prepaid or handled without you. Misdemeanors generally require an appearance, though in some cases I can appear on your behalf.
Can I just prepay and be done?
You can, but prepayment on an infraction is still a guilty plea. It results in a conviction, it gets reported to the DMV, and depending on whether it carries points, it can have DMV consequences.
If you have a perfect record, it may mean no real consequences — but you should talk to an attorney before you prepay. For anything touching your license or your work, it usually is not a good idea.
What if I have moved out of state?
Virginia still has jurisdiction and the conviction will follow you home. Appearing can often be handled without you travelling back.
How many points before I lose my license?
It depends on your existing balance and the period involved. If you are close to the line, that changes the strategy on even a small ticket, so it is worth checking before you pay anything.
Is a traffic charge a criminal record?
Infractions are not. Reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and DUI are misdemeanors, which are criminal and do leave a record.
What do you need from me?
Your ticket, your full name and best cell number, your driving record if you have it, and a short, straight account of what happened.
You can email that to me at andigeloolaw@gmail.com — that is usually enough for me to tell you where you stand. I will follow up with more questions from there.
Go straight to the charge
Fairfax · Prince William · Loudoun · Fauquier · Arlington · Stafford · Spotsylvania, and courts throughout Virginia. See the full list.
We are here to help you navigate this.
The first conversation is free. Plan for about 15 minutes — sometimes longer. My clock isn’t ticking while we’re talking.
Bring your summons and tell me what happened in your own words. I’m happy to keep answering your questions even after the consult, especially if you’re a nice person. My clients usually are.
And if I’m not the right fit for your case, I’ll tell you.