Alabama's Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties A person who drives any vehicle in such manner as to indicate either a willful or a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. He prides himself on being able to take complex topics and make them accessible to the general public. Ideally, such actions will only result in a citation should they occur. Have you gotten a reckless driving charge? Please refresh the page and try again, By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo. The possible penalties for a conviction are: First offense. "name": "Do the Benefits of Hiring a Traffic Lawyer Outweigh the Costs? For the past three years, Derek has focused on writing financial literacy articles for credit unions throughout the country. Most states have laws addressing willfully dangerous driving. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, going at such an unreasonably high or low rate of speed that it endangers the safety of persons or property or blocks the proper flow of traffic, passing another vehicle on a slope or curve where visibility is limited to less than 500 feet, or. In some states, the violation is called "reckless driving," while other states may use the terms "careless driving" or "dangerous driving" to describe the same violation. Any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway or any public vehicular area without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. Reckless driving: Up to 90 days in jail and/ or 1000 in fines. Apr 25, 2023. Subsequent offense (within 1 year) (Third-degree misdemeanor) not more than $500, Imprisonment - First offense 5 days to 90 days. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. If you dont make that first call, youre never going to know what an attorney can hopefully do and what its going to cost. Heres What to Expect. If you found this article helpful, check out our other blog posts today! Your chances of going to jail increase dramatically if you are charged with a super high speed, such as over 100 mph or going more than 30 mph over the limit. It might come as a surprise at how little it takes to get a reckless driving charge. In general, however, excessive speeding - that is, driving more than 20 miles over the posted speed limit for example - is usually considered to be reckless. disclaimer about law/legal-related information on this website, Can You Get a DUI on a Skateboard? Once you've fulfilled all of the requirements, you can submit an application to have your license reinstated. We have discussed the criminal penalties you face if you plead guilty to reckless driving in Virginia. A person who drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Deciding whether or not to actually hire an attorney for your speeding ticket comes down to a cost-benefit analysis, in my opinion." Subsequent offense $100 to $500, Fine - First offense $25 to $100. Subsequent offense (within 24 months) not more than 6 months, Fine - First offense not more than $750. Then you can work through the risks and benefits of hiring a lawyer to help versus self-representation. But there are additional collateral consequences you need to be aware of. Defend your rights. Theme: docile by, Charged With Reckless Driving? Any motorist convicted of reckless driving faces a license suspension of up to six months. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "text": "One thing that can help tip that balance is if the attorney can handle the case without you appearing in court. Since 2010, motorists can be fined $100 for a first offense of texting while driving. Subsequent offense 10 days to 6 months, Fine - First offense $250 to $500. Class B Misdemeanor but if there is injury to a person, then Class A Misdemeanor. If you have a trial, you are free if you win your case. A conviction for reckless driving in Virginia puts points on your driving record. Class C misdemeanor but if it causes bodily injury to a person, then Class A misdemeanor. Some insurance companies could even cancel your insurance policy. Subsequent offense (within 18 months) not more than 180 days, Fine - First offense not more than $300, Second offense (within 18 months) not more than $525. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Depending on the nature of the offense and the decision rendered by the court, attending traffic schoolcommonly referred to as a defensive driving coursecan help offset points from your driving record and possibly lower insurance premiums. The judge may require the surrender of a convicted person's driver's license for a period of no more than 90 days and a suspension of their driving privileges. A first reckless driving conviction carries up to six months in jail and/or a maximum $1,000 in fines. A first reckless driving offense carries five to 90 days in jail and/or $25 to $500 in fines. Subsequent offense $50 to $300, Imprisonment - First offense 5 to 90 day. By Heidy Garcia, JD | Reckless driving is a serious offense in many states and can result in fines, jail time, and a criminal record. }] Prosecutors dont usually like to break the charges down without a good reason. Fine - First offense $100 to $300. Fine - First offense $25 to $300; subsequent offense $50 to $500, Imprisonment - First offense (Class III misdemeanor) not more than 3 months. { Call Us: (804) 477-1720 Make an Appointment Jacob Tingen Published: May 30, 2018 Last Updated: March 22, 2023 Other Reckless Driving VA | Reckless Driving First Offense Attorneys VA Most cases do not result in a jail sentence, but if you are convicted of traveling 30 mph or more over the limit, many judges will impose jail of up to 12 months. A conviction usually carries the maximum number of demerit points. Kentucky Reckless Driving | GetJerry.com How to get a DUI dropped to reckless driving - Best 2 ways How Much Does a Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer Cost? While committing three or more moving traffic violations under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, in a series of acts occurring within a single continuous period of driving covering three miles or less in total distance. The max is there to provide a cap, but this doesnt mean the court has to order the maximum penalty. Repeat offense. For example, around the Fredericksburg area, most of the judges will not reduce charges to defective equipment as they might do in North Carolina. Please review ourdisclaimer about law/legal-related information on this websitebefore taking action based upon anything you read or see. This should give you enough time to shop around for a new carrier. Andrew wrote the book on reckless driving. Many traffic ticket attorneys offer free consultations. Can You Get Into Law School With a 2.5 GPA? For instance, if there is heavy traffic or poor visibility, driving even a small amount over the limit can be dangerous and constitute reckless driving. You can find out more here at peterlouielaw.com. Utah's reckless driving statute is found in the Utah Traffic Code at 41-6a-528 (2018). In some states, this may be a low level misdemeanor, and in others, a more serious one. For more information, review the. Class B misdemeanor, unless an accident is involved, then it is considered a Class A misdemeanor. For a first-time reckless driving charge, you'll likely think, "how bad is a reckless driving charge?" SmartFinancial Insurance is a digital insurance You can also be at a risk of going to jail if you caused an accident that severely injured another person. Subsequent offense 1 to 5 years, Fine - First offense not more than $500. The license suspension could cost him his job or make it impossible to uphold his parental obligations. If you plead not guilty, your trial might happen right then and there. negligence or reckless disregard that could result in charges include: A reckless driving citation and conviction can result in severe penalties. Offenses resulting in minor injuries: $300 to $2000 in fines and 30 days- 1 year in prison. If you see a reckless driver, help keep the roads safe by reporting them. #5: Believing You Must Plead Guilty. If you have been charged with your first reckless driving offense in Virginia, you need an experienced Virginia traffic defense lawyer right away. For example, Virginia Code 46.2-862 makes driving 20 mph or more over the . Defend your rights. Legally reviewed by Maddy Teka, Esq. Subsequent offense $50 to $1,000. While multiple convictions from the current trouble can result in jail time, prior criminal history of convictions can also push a case out of probation and into a jail sentence. Can be an issue with military service members or for other government jobs. If you are charged with reckless driving, this isnt something you can ignore. If the offenses were separate criminal episode, they could result in separate convictions which could impact the sentence (the more criminal history you have, the more likely youll get jail). In a manner that indicates a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property. f 12 months for misdemeanor reckless driving and five years for felony reckless driving. A reckless driving charge comes with possible jail time and very expensive fines.