If you have been charged with reckless driving in New York, you may breathe a sigh of relief because it’s not as serious as a DWI. You may even choose to let the legal process to play out and ignore doing anything about it. However, a reckless driving conviction can result in serious criminal penalties and other repercussions which affect your life.
Common examples of reckless driving include:
- Speeding over 25 miles over the posted speed limit
- Weaving through traffic
- Ignoring traffic lights and signs
- Tailgating
- Driving in a malfunctioning vehicle
- Racing
In New York, reckless driving means operating a vehicle in a way which disrupts the normal use of a public roadway and endangers other motorists in an unreasonable manner. Reckless driving cases are not handled in traffic court like other road-related violations such as speeding; rather, the criminal court does.
This means you can’t just simply pay a ticket and put the mistake behind you. If you are found guilty for reckless driving, a first-time offense is punishable by a maximum 30-day jail sentence and a fine not exceeding $300 (plus a $70 fee for first-time offenders).
A second-time offense results in a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a maximum 525 fine, while a third-time offense carries a jail term no longer than 180 days and a fine of up to $1,125. In addition, a conviction can result in five demerit points added on your driving record and increased insurance premiums.
With the stakes this high, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you get your case dismissed or your charges/penalties reduced. Our Nassau County traffic ticket lawyers at Foley Griffin are committed to helping you avoid jail time, costly fines, points on your driving record, increase insurance rates, and other negative repercussions.
Contact us and schedule a free consultation for more information today.