HB378: Improper driving; jury hearing case.

HOUSE BILL NO. 378

Offered January 8, 2014
Prefiled January 3, 2014
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-869 of the Code of Virginia, relating to improper driving; jury.
Patron-- Surovell

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-869 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-869. Improper driving; penalty.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this article, upon the trial of any person charged with reckless driving under any provision of this article where the degree of culpability is slight, the court or the jury in its discretion may find the accused not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving. However, an attorney for the Commonwealth may reduce a charge of reckless driving to improper driving at any time prior to the court's decision and shall notify the court of such change. Improper driving shall be punishable as a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $500.