The following case study discusses a matter involving a charge of reckless driving by speed (105/55) that ultimately resulted in the dismissal of all charges in Virginia Beach Circuit Court following a successful appeal.
The Charges and Allegations
Our client was charged with reckless driving by speed, allegedly traveling 105/55 mph. Unhappy with the initial outcome in General District Court, they chose to appeal the decision to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. That is when they reached out to Attorney Kari Ann Hedwall and the Driving Defense Law team to fight for a better result.
Our Strategic Approach
When Attorney Kari Ann Hedwall was retained for the appeal, she immediately got to work building the strongest possible case for Circuit Court. Her strategy included two key components: aggressive mitigation and a thorough review of the evidence surrounding the events that led to the charge.
To strengthen the case, Kari Ann advised our client to take several proactive steps ahead of the appeal to demonstrate responsibility and good character. A few of those steps included:
- Complete a driver improvement course
- Complete the Reckless and Aggressive Driver Education Program (RADEP)
- Perform community service in the Hampton Roads area
- Obtain character reference letters
- Write a personal reflection demonstrating genuine accountability and a commitment to safer driving
In parallel, Kari Ann gathered documentation that provided important context for why the stop occurred, including records of nearby shootings, local police checkpoints, and vandalism to the client’s vehicle, establishing the context behind the stop and grounding both the negotiation and trial strategy.
Before trial, the prosecutor offered to reduce the charge to 19 miles per hour over the speed limit. While still a meaningful reduction from the reckless driving category, Kari Ann was confident the case was strong enough to take to trial for a further reduction or dismissal. Our client agreed and decided to move forward with a trial.
The Final Outcome: ALL CHARGES DISMISSED
At the conclusion of the Circuit Court trial, our client received a deferred finding conditioned on completing 50 additional hours of community service. Upon completion, the case was dismissed entirely.
The final outcome included:
- No jail time
- No fines
- No license suspension
- No criminal conviction of any kind
- No demerit points on the client’s driving record
The benefits extended beyond the courtroom as well. With no conviction on record, our client walked away without the cascading consequences that so often follow a reckless driving finding—no spike in insurance rates and no permanent criminal record that could affect employment or background checks for years to come.
Why Driving Defense Law Makes a Difference in Reckless Driving Cases and Appeals
Reckless driving charges in Virginia can carry serious consequences, including jail time, license suspension, heavy fines, increased insurance costs, and a permanent criminal record. In many cases, the outcome depends not only on the facts involved, but also on how thoroughly the case is prepared and how effectively it is presented in court.
Driving Defense Law does not approach cases with a “quick resolution” mindset. Attorney Kari Ann Hedwall and the team take a thorough, preparation-focused approach to every reckless driving matter, ensuring that each case is fully developed before important decisions are made. The team carefully evaluates the evidence, identifies opportunities for mitigation, and builds strong defenses designed to achieve the best possible outcome for each client. That level of preparation can make a significant difference, particularly in matters where the stakes are high and the long-term consequences of a conviction can follow someone for years. This approach becomes especially important in Circuit Court appeals, where the case is tried again and there is another opportunity to pursue a better result.
If you have been charged with reckless driving in Hampton Roads or are considering an appeal in a traffic case, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Driving Defense Law represents clients in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, and surrounding courts throughout Hampton Roads. Schedule a consultation with a member of the team today or call 757-929-0335.
DISCLAIMER – EACH CASE IS UNIQUE AND CASE RESULTS DEPEND ON YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE UNDERTAKEN BY THE LAWYER. The testimonials on this website reflect the real-life experiences and opinions of our clients. However, the experiences are personal to those particular clients, and may not necessarily be representative of all clients. We do not claim, and you should not assume, that all clients will have the same experience. Your outcome may vary.
