Virginia Man Faces Reckless Driving Charges After Trying to Evade Police
After attempting to evade a traffic stop, a man from Manassas, Virginia, faces criminal charges for eluding police, driving on a revoked license, and reckless driving, reported Loudoun Times-Mirror.
The incident in question occurred at approximately 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. At that time, the Manassas man was driving on Route 15. Officers from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office observed that the man was driving below the speed limit. Additionally, the man appeared to have trouble staying within established traffic lanes.
The police officers flashed their signals, indicating for the driver to pull over. But the Manassas man disregarded law enforcement and continued onto Route 50. The man eventually lost control of the vehicle and came to a crashing halt near Routes 66 and 234.
In order to digest this news story properly, it will be helpful to review Virginia rules against eluding police, driving on a revoked license and reckless driving.
Eluding Police
Code of Virginia 46.2-817 establishes a duty to obey any directions or commands from a law enforcement officer. Section 46.2-817 makes it unlawful to disregard a clear signal or command from a law enforcement officer in Virginia. Any person who tries to elude or evade such a law enforcement officer, by any means,is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
A violation of Section 46.2-817 can become a felony offense in certain circumstances. If a person acts recklessly while eluding a law enforcement officer,and in the process endangers another person, then the offense becomes a Class 6 felony. If that same person causes the death of a law enforcement officer, then the offense becomes a Class 4 felony.
Driving on a Revoked License
Code of Virginia 46.2-868 addresses an important concern for any person with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Section 46.2-868 makes it unlawful to drive a car or operate other vehicles on a suspended or revoked license. Any person who violates Section 46.2-868 in Virginia is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Three violations of this section within 10 years can result in a Class 6 felony.
Reckless Driving
Code of Virginia 46.2-852 highlights the importance of driving carefully on all roads and highways in Virginia. In larger terms, Section 46.2-852 makes it unlawful to drive a car or operate other vehicles in a reckless, careless, or dangerous manner. Reckless driving applies whenever driving conduct puts another person or their property in jeopardy.
The penalties for reckless driving appear in Code of Virginia 46.2-868. In most cases, reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. Though certain extremely dangerous driving conduct can result in a Class 6 felony for reckless driving.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you are facing criminal charges for reckless driving in Virginia, it is best to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney. The attorneys at Simms Showers LLP, servicing Leesburg, Winchester, Fairfax, and Manassas, have years of legal experience fighting reckless driving charges in Virginia. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Resource:
loudountimes.com/news/manassas-man-charged-with-felony-eluding-reckless-driving-after-incident/article_5cfff0ec-3826-11e8-ba7f-03247c7788cf.html
