Tags
888-437-7747, Brunswick, Brunswick Lawyer, Brunswick Virginia, Brunswick Virginia Attorney, Brunswick Virginia Attorneys, Brunswick Virginia Law, Brunswick virginia laws, Brunswick Virginia Lawyer, Brunswick Virginia Lawyers, Brunswick Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer, Defendant, Law Group, Measuring Device, Miles Per Hour, Necessary Experience, Traffic Case, V Smith, Virginia Brunswick Attorneys, Virginia Brunswick Laws, Virginia Brunswick Lawyer, Virginia Code, Virginia Court, Virginia Lawyers, Virginia Legislature, Virginia State Law
State Law 46.2 862 Charge – Virginia Lawyers
If you are dealing with a State Law 46.2 862 charge in Virginia, contact our law firm immediately for help.
State Law 46.2 862 defense in Virginia
We will do our absolute best to help you get the best result possible based on the facts of your case. Our law firm has the necessary experience to assist you with this matter.
Commonwealth v. Smith
Facts:
Defendant appealed her conviction by the Circuit Court of Brunswick (Virginia) of reckless driving by speeding 70 miles per hour in a 45 miles-per-hour zone in Virginia State under Virginia Code Ann. § 46.2-862, following the denial of her motion to strike the evidence obtained by pacing to prove her speed, alleging that pacing as per law was not a method for determining speed listed in Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-882.
If you are facing a traffic case in Virginia, contact a SRIS Law Group lawyer for help. You can reach us at 888-437-7747
Holdings:
The Virginia Court made the following holding:
- Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-882 is a statute permitting the admissibility of evidence. It is not a statute of exclusion. It sanctions four types of scientific evidence that determine speed by eliminating the need to prove that the underlying scientific principle or technique of the measuring device is reliable.
- Nothing in Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-882 suggests it is meant to limit the means for proving speed. The statute itself states that speed “may” be determined by the enumerated means. “The word “may” is prima facie permissive, importing discretion, but the courts construe it to be mandatory when it is necessary to accomplish the manifest purpose of the Virginia legislature. Even lay witness testimony has always been an acceptable method of the speed of a car. The statute does not prevent the Commonwealth from proving a vehicle’s speed by other methods.
- One of the easiest methods of proving a vehicle’s speed is by pacing. This involves accurately determining the speed of one vehicle while proceeding at a constant distance from a second vehicle. If the distance between the two vehicles remains constant, the speed of the second vehicle must be the same as the known speed of the first vehicle. Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-942 clearly contemplates the use of pacing as a method of determining a vehicle’s speed by authorizing the admission of calibration tests to prove the accuracy of an arresting officer’s speedometer.
State Law 46.2 862 defense in Virginia
We will do our absolute best to help you get the best result possible based on the facts of your case. Our law firm has the necessary experience to assist you with this matter.
Article written by A Sris
Sris Law Group
1-804-201-9009