Practice Areas

Blog

DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense

view all

Firm News

Newport News Police Official Convicted of Drunken Driving

Three-Car Accident Kills One Person and Injures Four Others

Three High School Students Killed in a Car Crash in Virginia Beach

Young Volunteer Firefighter Killed in Crash

Former Virginia Tech Quarterback Found Guilty of DUI

Four Deaths on Virginia 151 Prompted Change

Fossella Found Guilty of Misdemeanor Charges of DUI in Virginia

Study Reveals 13% of Seniors Report Mistreatment

Grant Helps the Elderly Avoid Nursing Homes

Driver Convicted of DUI Death Arrested Again on DUI Charge

View All

Firm Library

Nursing Home Abuse

More Info

Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents

More Info

Medical Malpractice

More Info

DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense

More Info

Divorce

More Info

General

More Info

Virginia Legislature Working to Repeal Fines

The Virginia Senate has voted to repeal the states costly, unpopular fees on dangerous drivers. The bill has received unanimous approval in the state Senate’s Finance Committee and again received unanimous approval on the Senate floor.

The original law, which went into effect on July 1, 2007, imposes fees of between $750 and $3,000 for serious traffic offenses. It was enacted to help finance a transportation bill approved by the General Assembly as an alternative to raising taxes.

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court has put together this guide for the public. The legislation included the following fines:

Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License: Three annual installments of $250 each.

Reckless Driving: Three annual installments of $350 each.

Driving while Intoxicated: Three annual installments of $750 each.

Felony Conviction for Motor Vehicle Related Offense: Three annual installments of $1,000 each.

If the bill repealing the civil remedial fines is successful, the state comptroller will have to issue refunds to drivers who have been previously assessed fines. Individuals would have to return to the court where they were convicted and simply fill out a form requesting the judge to clear their name.

The civil remedial fines have been criticized as “unconstitutional,” by an Arlington County District Court Judge. Judge Dorothy Clarke ruled in July of 2007 that the fees violated guarantees of equal protection because they only apply to state residents.

One of the silly repercussions of the civil remedial law is the case of 19 year old Kajuan Cornish, who recently received a $1,050 abusive driver fee for reckless driving. The problem? Mr. Cornish was driving a bike! Cornish was pedaling back to work on Warwick Boulevard in Newport News after a lunch break when he was pulled over by a police officer for going too fast.

His appeals to a Newport News General District Court judge fell on deaf ears, as the ticket and $1,050 fine were upheld. State Delegate Dave Albo, who drafted the legislation, said he was surprised to find out that a judge would apply them to a bicyclist.

Ask an AttorneyAsk an Attorney
Free Consultation

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Tell us more:


Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510

Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223

Map / Directions

FAQs

Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents

Medical Malpractice

DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense

Business Litigation

Divorce

View All