Reckless Driving Lawyers
The need for an attorney is not something most people assume they’ll ever encounter for anything more serious than the making of a will or an estate. Most people have no intention of ever finding themselves in a situation in which an attorney is needed, but life has a way of making the seemingly impossible possible on occasion. You might be the most law-abiding citizen around, but you might be breaking laws in the car you aren’t even aware of. That’s how reckless driving occurs, and it might be the reason you find yourself in need of an attorney to help.
What is Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is criminal, and it’s serious. It might not sound as serious as murder or grand larceny, but reckless driving is dangerous, and it’s something you could go to jail for engaging in. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor criminal charge that occurs when you aren’t obeying the laws of the road. There is no one simple definition of reckless driving. It’s the act of driving without regard for yourself, the law, or anyone else on the road at any time.
– Speeding
– Running red lights
– Running stop signs
– Texting and driving
– Driving under the influence
– Not watching the road
Reckless driving is any sort of driving that puts the lives of you and anyone else on the road in imminent danger. It’s a disregard for the safety of all humans, and it’s a disregard for the law. It’s illegal, and it’s a serious crime.
Penalties for Reckless Driving
The penalties for reckless driving differ by state, and they also differ based on the personal factors involved in the crime committed. For example, you might not go to jail for reckless driving if you were not speeding excessively, if you have a clean driving record, and you have no criminal history. If this is the first time you’ve been in trouble for anything, the judge in your case might sentence you lightly.
If you are a repeat offender, someone was injured because of your reckless driving, or you were doing something excessively dangerous on the road, you might face more serious consequences for your actions.
– Jail time
– Financial penalties
– Probation
– Community service
– Loss or suspension of license
These are just a few of the major penalties associated with reckless driving in almost every state. The amount of time you could spend in jail, the amount of money you’ll pay in fines, and the length of your probation, community service, and/or license suspension vary significantly based on various factors.
Defenses for Reckless Driving
If you’re arrested for reckless driving, there are some defenses that might work for you. Your attorney can help you with your defense, and it might be something worth considering.
No one was in danger – One defense is that no one was in any danger because of your reckless driving. For example, you were driving your car on your private property and no one else was home even if you were drinking and driving or being reckless.
You weren’t intentionally looking to harm anyone – Reckless driving is a blatant disregard for the law, but careless driving is a mistake. Did you drive recklessly because you were stressed out trying to get your baby to stop crying in the backseat? That’s a defense that makes it much easier for you to see your charges dropped.
Extenuating Circumstances – Sometimes you break the law knowingly on the road for a reason you feel is better or more important than the law. Perhaps your wife was in active labor, or your loved one had a heart attack in the car and you were racing to the hospital. These are things your attorney can work with.
How an Attorney Can Help You
If you’ve been arrested for reckless driving, it’s time to call an attorney for legal help. Our attorneys can help you get through this situation, defend your case, and even ask for lesser charges if a guilty verdict is on the horizon. An attorney can handle the legalities, the complications, and even help you find a way to make up for your crimes. Call now to speak to someone about your case.