Community Service Opportunities for Reckless Driving Defense Mitigation
We often recommend to our clients charged with reckless driving in Virginia that they complete community service before their court date. Judges in Virginia appreciate it when a driver takes responsibility for his actions and doing community service is one way a driver can show that he understands the seriousness of his charge and wants to give back to the community.
Doing community service ahead of court is helpful because judges are not authorized by the Code of Virginia to order that community service be done as part of the penalty for reckless driving. Instead, the Code of Virginia specifies that reckless driving can be punished by a fine of up to $2,500, a suspended license for up to 6 months, and jail time for up to 1 year. Judges, however, can take the community services hours a driver has already completed by his court date into consideration when determining whether or not to find a person guilty of reckless driving, or in considering whether or not to impose jail time. (To learn more about reckless driving defense, click here.)
How much community service we suggest will depend on the facts of your case. We often recommend community service where we believe jail time is a strong possibility or if we believe completing driving school is not enough mitigation. In reckless driving by speed cases, where the speed differential between the speed limit and the speed alleged is great, the amount of community service hours we recommend usually increases. For example, if you were charged with driving 100 mph in a 55 mph zone, we may suggest that you do 40 hours of community service before appearing for court in the General District Court. This will also depend on the jurisdiction your charge is pending in.
It is important that your community service hours be done at a legitimate non-profit organization that benefits the community. Don’t do online community service. Find a place with brick and mortar. Some of our clients pick a cause that they are interested in or one they think a judge may be interested in. Before beginning your community service hours, you should check with the non-profit organization that you have in mind that they can write you a letter on their letterhead paper stating the hours you have completed, signed by a representative of the organization.
Below is a list of some of the non-profit organizations our clients have volunteered with in the past. Our recommendation is that you call them to see if they can assist you with volunteer hours. Some non-profits will want a letter from us clarifying that the volunteer we referred to them is volunteering as the result of a reckless driving case and not for a violent crime or felony. If you hired us for your reckless driving matter and need help with a referral letter to get started with community service, let us know and we’ll be glad to help.
Hampton Roads Community Service Opportunities
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> Meals on Wheels / Call (757) 419-8810. Location: 745 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Meals on Wheels delivers meals to homebound individuals. |
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> Mercy Drops / Visit this link to sign up for volunteer hours / Call (757) 967-7599 if you have any questions. Location: 504 McLean Street, Portsmouth, VA 23701 Mercy drops is a non-profit organization that brings hope through meeting tangible needs like food, shelter, and clothing in low-income areas. Volunteer opportunities include food distribution, administrative work, or helping at events. |
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> Union Mission / Call (757) 627-8686 or contact the volunteer engagement coordinator at [email protected]. Location: 5100 E Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23502 Union Mission has many volunteer opportunities such as: serving in the kitchen, general maintenance, assisting in the thrift store, and stocking the warehouse. * Please Note: All prospective volunteers must attend an orientation. * |
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> Mount Trashmore / Call (757) 385-2995 to set up volunteer hours or reach out to George Filomarino (Park Supervisor II) at email: [email protected] / Community service hours are available during the park’s normal operating hours. Location: 310 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Mount Trashmore is a park in the City of Virginia Beach and volunteers can help keep the park clean. * Please Note: Mount Trashmore requires that you give them a letter from your attorney stating your charge and the hours of community service you want to complete if you wish to volunteer with them. Please get this letter from your attorney before contacting Mount Trashmore about volunteering. * |
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> American Red Cross / Please email Ms. Betty Whittaker at [email protected] to get more information. Location: Varies American Red Cross has many volunteer opportunities, but they require that you complete at least 50 hours of community service and go through a background check. |
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> Salvation Army / Please call Franklin Braddy at (757) 543-8100 to inquire about attorney-recommended community service hours. Location: Multiple locations in Hampton Roads |
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> Habitat For Humanity – Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg / Call (757) 596-5553 or visit this link to sign up to volunteer. Location: Various locations in Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and York, VA Habitat for Humanity can use volunteers in their stores and on their building sites. * Please Note: Please let Habitat for Humanity know that you are doing community service at the recommendation of an attorney when you register. * |
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> Habitat for Humanity – South Hampton Roads / Visit this link to sign up for volunteer hours (Look under Court-Ordered Community Service for the correct volunteer form). Location: Various locations in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA Habitat for Humanity can use volunteers in their stores and on their building sites. |
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> Chesapeake Animal Services / Email [email protected] for additional information on volunteering. Location: 2100 S. Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA 23320 Chesapeake animal services has many volunteer teams and programs for animal adoption, including dogs and cats. |
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> Judeo-Christian Outreach Center / Click here to read more about the volunteer program / Contact Kelly Stapleton at [email protected] or (757) 491-2846 to sign-up for volunteer hours. Location: 1053 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Judeo-Christian Outreach Center has volunteer opportunities including working in their dining hall and kitchen, assisting in the food pantry, and helping with donations. |
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> Dreams of Hope Foundation / Call Betty Dent, Volunteer Coordinator, at (757) 806-6339 / Hours available are 8am – 2pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Location: 7320 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23607 Provides families with assistance with clothing and transportation. Also, operates a re-entry program for convicted felons. |
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> VBSPCA (Animal Shelter) / Click here to sign up for community service / Contact the Volunteer Manager at [email protected] or 757-427-0070 ext. 107. with any questions. Location: 3040 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 |
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> Community Knights / Click here to volunteer / Call Adam Clyve at (757) 884-8097 x 709 or email him at [email protected] with any questions / Hours available are Wednesday night from 4:30pm to 10pm and Friday from 10am to 1pm. Location: 12742 Nettles Drive, Newport News, VA 23606 The Community Knights raise funds to support local non-profits. Volunteers are needed on Wednesday nights for bingo and during the day time on Friday for set up. |
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> THRIVE Peninsula / Click here to see what volunteer opportunities they have available. Location: 12749 Nettles Drive, Newport News, VA 23606 THRIVE Peninsula serves the community in multiple ways through a free library, food pantry, bill assistance, financial coaching, and more. |
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> Five Loaves Food Pantry / Call Brother Tim at (757) 775-4211 to volunteer / Hours available to volunteer are 9:00am to 1:30pm Monday to Friday and 4:30pm – 7:30pm on Tuesdays. Additional hours can be arranged. Location: Multiple locations on the Virginia Peninsula. Five Loaves distributes food to the hungry in the Virginia Peninsula. * Please Note: Brother Tim will conduct a quick interview with all who wish to volunteer. * |
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> Reach, Inc (Reading Enriches All Children) / Click here to register to volunteer. Location: 5802 E Virginia Beach Boulevard, Suite 158 JANAF, Norfolk, VA 23502 Promotes literacy among children in the Hampton Roads area. * Please Note: You will be required to complete a background check, which costs $13.00 * |
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> Ronald McDonald House of Norfolk / Call (757) 627-5386, email [email protected], or fill out the application form on their website. Location: 404 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507 Opportunities to serve include providing meals, doing general housekeeping, and assisting with special events. |
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> Little Island Park / Call (757) 385-7324 / Reach out to Mindy Myers (Park Assistant), Email: [email protected] / Community service hours are available during the park’s normal operating hours. Location: 3820 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Little Island Park is located at Sandbridge Beach, and volunteers can help keep the park clean. * Please Note: Little Island Park requires that you give them a letter from your attorney stating your charge and the hours of community service you want to complete if you wish to volunteer with them. Please get this letter from your attorney before contacting Little Island Park about volunteering. * |
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> Animal Aid Society / Register online to volunteer here / Call (757) 865-0511 for questions. Hours available are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Location: 80 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666 * Please Note: Due to the time and effort it takes to train volunteers, Animal Aid Society asks that only those individuals who need 30 or more hours of community service apply to volunteer. * |
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> Mercy Chefs / Please visit this link to register online / Mention that you are doing community service for court purposes when you register so that Mercy Chefs can give you the proper documentation. Location: Varies, but most opportunities will be in Portsmouth Mercy Chefs specializes in disaster relief, community kitchens, and food insecurity response. No cooking experience required! |
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> StandUp for Kids / Please contact Nicole Pixler (Executive Director) to coordinate the volunteer process via email: [email protected] or phone: (757) 818-4901. Location: Multiple locations across Hampton Roads StandUp for Kids serves homeless youth through outreach events and providing housing, food, and school mentoring. * Please Note: Due to the nature of their work, StandUp for Kids requires that all volunteers complete an online training course (this training does not court toward your community service hours) and a background check. * |
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> Virginia Peninsula Food Bank / Please reach out to the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] or 757-596-7188 ext. 154 to discuss volunteering. Location: Multiple locations across Hampton Roads Some volunteer opportunities include sorting donations, packing food distribution boxes, working in mobile pantries, delivering food to seniors, bagging produce, and working events. * Please Note: Any community service done for court-related purposes must be approved first. * |
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> Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore / Visit this link to register for volunteer hours / For any questions, please contact [email protected]. Location: Multiple locations across Hampton Roads Some volunteer opportunities include sorting food, stocking shelves, packing boxes, assisting in the warehouse, helping at events, and distributing food. * Please Note: Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore requires advanced notice of at least 3 business days if you need a volunteer letter. * |
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> HELP, Inc. / Visit this link to sign-up for volunteering / For any questions, please contact [email protected]. / Hours at the shelter vary from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Location: Hampton and Newport News, VA HELP, Inc. serves the homeless in Hampton, VA and Newport News, VA through their shelter and dental clinic. Some volunteer opportunities involve serving meals and assisting the staff at the shelter. During the months of November-March, HELP Inc. also facilitates “A Night’s Welcome” where local churches host the homeless. Volunteers are welcome at this event, too. |
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> PiN Ministry / Please email Brittany Walker at [email protected] to begin the volunteering process. She needs to know if this volunteer work is court-related, when you’re available, and how many hours need to be completed, and by what date. Location: 1164 Miller’s Lane, Suite A, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 PiN Ministry seeks to serve the homeless of Virginia Beach by providing for their practical and spiritual needs. Opportunities to serve involve cleaning the facility, lawn care, clothes sorting, and basic maintenance. |
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> The Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads / Visit this link to sign up for volunteer positions / Contact the volunteer coordinator, Francesca Ketchum, at [email protected] if you have any questions. Location: 1465 Lakeside Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455 The Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads seeks to serve our military members and their families through various events and programs. Opportunities for you to serve include helping at the front desk, doing basic maintenance, and assisting in the food pantry. * Please Note: When you fill out the application form, please note that you are doing community service for court related purposes under the Availability, Skills, Interests, and Other Volunteer Roles section. * |
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> Food Rescue – Virginia Beach / Visit this link to sign up to volunteer / Contact Natalia and Sandra De Los Rios with any questions at [email protected]. Food Rescue helps keep food out of landfills and puts it on people’s plates. They need volunteers to help deliver food to distribution centers. * Please Note: Food Rescue can only provide limited hours. We recommend volunteering with them only if you need to fulfill 10 hours of community service or less. * |
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> Williamsburg Community Growers / Visit this link to sign up to volunteer / Contact Liz with any questions at [email protected]. Williamsburg Community Growers is dedicated to teaching its volunteers about sustainable farming while growing food that gets donated to local charities. * Please Note: Williamsburg Community Growers only has volunteer opportunities available from June to August from 8am-10am on Saturdays. * |
This list is not exhaustive and we will periodically update this list. Some of our clients have volunteered at their local church or in school tutoring or sports programs.