If you’ve been written a reckless driving ticket you should take it very seriously. The penalties for reckless driving can be extensive and in some cases almost as serious as driving under the influence. To successfully defend your reckless driving ticket you will need an experienced San Diego reckless driving lawyer to prepare, present and argue your case. Don’t make the mistake of assuming your reckless driving ticket is just another traffic violation – it’s not. Thankfully with serious penalties come significant protection, but you need a competent reckless driving lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you are afforded all the procedural protection the law provides. If you have been cited for reckless driving in San Diego County contact me now for an absolutely confidential and free case evaluation.
What Does the Prosecution Have to Prove
To establish the offense of Reckless Driving the prosecutor must prove that you intentionally drove a vehicle on a highway or off-street parking facility with wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property – meaning, you were aware your actions presented a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm, and you intentionally ignored that risk. Wow – that’s a mouthful right? The good news is this is not always easy to prove, but you ABSOLUTELY need the services of qualified San Diego reckless driving lawyer to drive that point home with the prosecutor, and/or the jury.
Reckless Driving Punishment and Penalties
Generally speaking, reckless driving punishment is wide ranging, and is contingent on many factors. The primary factors are whether you caused any property damage or bodily injury. Reckless driving WITHOUT INJURY is punishable by 5 to 90 days in jail AND a fine of $145.00 to $1000.00. Reckless driving WITH INJURY is punishable by 30 days to 6 months in jail and a fine of $220.00 to $1000.000. If probation is granted, there is no minimum jail or fine in either case, and where there there are prior convictions of reckless driving, speed contests, exhibitions of speed, drunk driving or other driving offenses where other were injured, the sky is the limit. If you’ve been cited for reckless driving and want to know more about the potential punishment in your case I will gladly provide you with a free and confidential consultation.
D.M.V. Action – Reckless Driving is a Two Point Violation
Reckless driving tickets are two-point violations. This means if you’re convicted of reckless driving you will take two points on your DMV driving record. This will likely have catastrophic consequences on your insurance rates. Two point violations like DUIs and Reckless Driving, often result in substantial increases in insurance premiums. Avoiding that second point is often worth hiring a reckless driving attorney – it may save your hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Vehicle Impounded
In most cases, and as you may already be aware, if you are written a ticket for reckless driving in San Diego, your car will be towed and impounded for up to 30 days. At the conclusion of the impound you will have to pay the storage and towing fees which often exceed $1,200.00. However, if you beat your case, then you don’t have to pay these fees, and if you fall under certain exceptions your car may be released prior to the conclusion of the 30 days. If you’d like a free consultation regarding the impound of your vehicle because you were cited for reckless driving in San Diego contact me now.
Conclusion – Cited for Reckless Driving in San Diego? Contact Me Now
As you can tell being cited for reckless driving in San Diego is serious. The punishment and practical consequences can be as severe as driving under the influence. You need a qualified San Diego reckless driving attorney to help you with your case. Don’t neglect to get all the information you can regarding your case. Contact me now. I’m a experienced and sophisticated reckless driving lawyer in San Diego that will will gladly give you a free, and absolutely confidential evaluation of your case.
San Diego Reckless Driving Lawyer | sdtrafficlawyer.com | 619-550-3322