Reckless driving is a significant charge in most states. This moving vehicle violation may result in you facing significant charges and fines. Anyone who is charged with reckless driving should seek out the aid of an attorney before he or she files any type of plea agreement or heads to court. The best way to protect your driving record, and your license, is to reduce the reckless driving charges if at all possible.
What Happens with a Reckless Driving Charge?
Each state has laws regarding reckless driving. In nearly all states, this type of charge carries a hefty fine since the charge implies that the individual knowingly misused and abused his or her driving privileges and may have put others at risk by doing so. However, what happens to your drivers license is dependent up on your unique situations.
The following can help to shed more light on what you can expect with this type of charge:
- In most cases, reckless driving adds points (which are negative marks) on a driver's record. The number of points will range, but is usually about four, depending on the severity of the situation.
- If you have points on your license already, these additional points will be added to them. In some cases, this may push you over the state limit which could mean a loss of license for a suspension period or longer, depending on the circumstances.
- In addition, you are likely to get more points if the reckless driving charge is due to excessive situations or results in the injury of another person or property. In these cases, you may also face criminal charges related to those incidents which could suspend or revoke your license and driving abilities.
Keep in mind that these applications to your driver's record only hold true when the reckless driving charge is not reduced. In many situations, individuals who are facing this type of charge are able to see improvements in his or her charges by working with a judge to reduce them. If the charges are reduced, the potential for points and suspensions may be reduced.
Hiring an Attorney
If you are facing charges of reckless driving, speak with an attorney before heading into court. The attorney can help convince the judge or reducing your charges in many cases. Even when the charges remain, an attorney can help work with you to reduce the implication that those charges will have on your criminal record and your driving record.
