"We Serve Your Legal Needs"

Parsippany Reckless Driving Lawyer

 

 

Reckless Driving Lawyer in Morris County, New Jersey

 

Many people drive at a high rate of speed.  We tend to go with the flow of traffic and speed as we deem necessary to get where we’re going in a certain amount of time.  But when we do this we are not following the law.  Often, beyond simply speeding, we are creating unsafe conditions on the road for both ourselves and other drivers through these actions.  If stopped by a police officer it is quite possible that under these circumstances an individual would receive a reckless driving charge.

 

Reckless driving is a relatively serious motor vehicle offense.  With costly fines, points on your driving record, potential jail time and a possible suspension of your driver’s license, the effects of a guilty verdict are potentially serious and burdensome for most people.  When dealing with a ticket with such significant potential ramifications it is in your best interest to retain an experienced traffic lawyer.  The attorneys at the Kalish Law Group have decades of experience in local municipal courts and are ready and able to protect your rights – and your license.

 

Examples of reckless driving:

 

• Driving at an excessive rate of speed which is putting yourself, other motorists, or pedestrians at risk

• Moving among traffic lanes swiftly and carelessly

• Driving in the wrong direction down a one way street or other roadway

• Deliberately tailgating another vehicle

• Driving while under the influence of illegal substances

 

Reckless driving is defined by N.J.S.A. 39:4-96 as a person who drives a vehicle heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others (the driver must be consciously aware that his actions pose a risk to the public), in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property.

 

Basically, what this means is that an officer will give you a ticket for this offense when he deems that you have consciously driven a vehicle in a manner which represents a danger to people and/or property. 

 

Reckless Driving vs. Careless Driving

 

Careless driving is the far more commonly issued citation and carries significantly less serious penalties.  It would seem by reading the definition of both offenses that they are quite similar and that is in fact the case.  However, there is a single important element which causes an offense to be reckless rather than careless and that is “knowingly”.  If the officer believes that the individual KNOWINGLY acted dangerously, as opposed to negligently, then he will issue a reckless ticket rather than careless.

 

What is important for both you and your attorney to understand is that this is an element that the prosecution must prove – which in many cases is difficult and will hopefully result in either dismissal or a favorable plea deal.  Your attorney should focus on the “knowingly” element in preparing and executing your defense.

 

Penalties for Reckless Driving

 

• 5 points on your driving record

• 5 points on your insurance score

• Up to a $200 fine, or

• Up to 60 days in jail (or 90 days on each subsequent offense)

 

Reckless driving is a serious ticket.  Though fines and the less likely possibility of jail time are certainly factors you should be concerned with, the likelihood that you will be assessed 5 points on your license, thereby greatly impacting both your insurance and potentially your ability to drive legally, is the issue at the forefront of most people’s minds.  You need an aggressive and intelligent attorney who will fight for you and do everything possible to minimize the consequences of this offense.  The Kalish Law Group has decades of experience in local traffic courts and is ready to help you with any of your legal needs.  Call today to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our excellent traffic attorneys.