Virginia Traffic Court Guide
What the charge on your summons means, what it can cost, and what happens in court
What each class of Virginia misdemeanor and felony carries in jail and fines, what a district court adds in fees, and how a 10-day appeal works.
Every page cites the Code of Virginia, links to the official text, and shows the date it was last checked. How these guides are researched.
Misdemeanor Classes
Virginia's four misdemeanor classes, what each one carries in jail time and fines under § 18.2-11, and which traffic offenses fall where.
- Class 1 Misdemeanor in Virginia: Penalty, Jail Time and Record
A Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia carries up to 12 months in jail and a fine of not more than $2,500 — the most any Virginia misdemeanor can carry.
- Class 4 Misdemeanor in Virginia: A $250 Fine and Nothing More
A class 4 misdemeanor in Virginia carries a fine of not more than $250 and no jail, plus the $61 court fee a district court adds to any conviction.
- Class 2 Misdemeanor in Virginia: Six Months, $1,000 and Examples
A class 2 misdemeanor in Virginia carries up to six months in jail and a fine of not more than $1,000. Eluding and aggressive driving both qualify.
- What Is a Misdemeanor in Virginia? The Four Classes Explained
A misdemeanor in Virginia is a crime sorted into four classes, from a $250 fine at Class 4 up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine at Class 1.
- Class A Misdemeanor in Virginia: There Is No Such Class
Virginia has no class A misdemeanor. The Code lists four numbered classes, and the Class 1 misdemeanor — 12 months and $2,500 — is the equivalent.
- Class 3 Misdemeanor in Virginia: A $500 Fine and No Jail
A class 3 misdemeanor in Virginia is punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and no jail. It is still a crime, and no lawyer is appointed for one.
Felony Classes
Virginia's six felony classes under § 18.2-10, and what an unclassified felony — the one the sentencing guidelines mark "U" — actually is.
- What Is a Class U Felony in Virginia? It Is Not in the Code
Virginia has no class u felony. The Code lists six numbered felony classes, and “U” marks an unclassified felony under § 18.2-14.
- Class 6 Felony Punishment in Virginia: One to Five Years
Class 6 felony punishment in Virginia is one to five years' imprisonment, or, at the court's or jury's discretion, up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Fees, Payment & Appeals
What a Virginia district court adds to a fine in fixed fees, how to pay it over time, and the 10-day right to a brand-new trial on appeal.
- Virginia Appeals from District Court: The 10-Day New Trial
A Virginia appeal from a district court conviction must be noted within ten days, and the circuit court then tries the case over from the start.
- Virginia Court Fees: What a District Court Charges on a Case
Court fees in Virginia are fixed by statute: $61 in a district court misdemeanor and $51 in a traffic infraction, added to any fine on conviction.