No civil remedial fees ruling in Arlington

Northern Virginia will have to wait a while longer for a ruling on the constitutionality of the state’s civil remedial fees.

Thaddeus Furlong, an attorney for a Centreveille man charged with reckless driving for traveling 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, had challenged the statute.

However, Arlington General District Judge Thomas J. Kelly Jr. ruled on Aug. 20 that it would be premature to rule on the fees before a reckless-driving conviction.

Yesterday, the charge was amended to driving 74 mph, and the defendant was convicted of speeding and fined $95 and costs, a typical disposition for a driver with a good record. Because speeding is an infraction instead of a misdemeanor or felony, the civil remedial fees statute does not apply.

The Washington Post has the details.