Fighting Reckless Driving Charges For Clients Throughout Nassau County, Long Island
Every driver in the state of New York is expected to use caution when operating a motor vehicle. If you fail to fulfill this legal obligation, you could put others in harm’s way. You could also be accused of reckless driving, which is a serious offense in the state of New York.
It’s important to act quickly if you have been accused of reckless driving. Discuss your legal options—and determine the best way to protect your freedom—with experienced reckless driving attorney Gianni Karmily as soon as possible.
What is Reckless Driving?
The law defines reckless driving as operating a motor vehicle in a way that unreasonably interferes with the use of the road or puts other road users in danger.
This is a broad definition, which means many different types of driving may be considered reckless in the eyes of law enforcement officers. Some examples of reckless driving include:
- Driving through an area that has been blocked off by law enforcement officers
- Driving at a high speed on the wrong side of the road towards oncoming traffic
- Getting into an accident or violating traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving off the road at a high speed towards pedestrians or bicyclists
These are all examples of conduct that could interfere with the public’s use of the road or put other motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists in danger.
Is Reckless Driving A Criminal Offense in New York?
Many people think that being accused of reckless driving is similar to getting a speeding ticket, but that’s not the case. A speeding ticket carries a number of penalties, including fines, points on your driver’s license, and an increase in auto insurance rates. But speeding is a traffic violation, whereas reckless driving is a criminal offense. Reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor crime in New York, which means you can face serious penalties if you are convicted. Furthermore, if you are convicted, you will have a criminal record that can follow you around and continue to affect your life for years in the future.
What Are the Penalties For Reckless Driving?
A reckless driving conviction can lead to fines, points on your driver’s license, and possible jail time. The penalties will vary depending on whether or not you are a repeat offender.
If this is your first reckless driving charge, you could face between $100 to $300 in fines and up to 30 days in jail. If this is your second reckless driving charge within 18 months, the fine could increase to up to $525 and you may be sentenced to up to 90 days in jail. If you are charged with reckless driving for a third time in 18 months, the fine increases to a maximum of $1,125 and the court could sentence you to up to 180 days in jail.
Every reckless driving conviction will add five points to your driving record. If you accumulate 11 or more points on your record within an 18-month period, your driver’s license will be suspended. If you have six or more points on your record, you may be ordered to pay hundreds of dollars in additional fines.
Having a reckless driving conviction on your record will also raise your insurance rates, which could cost you thousands of dollars in the long run.
How to Fight Reckless Driving Charges on Long Island
Fortunately, it is possible to avoid all of the penalties of a reckless driving conviction. Gianni Karmily will work tirelessly to help you avoid the legal penalties of a conviction by proving that you did not operate your motor vehicle recklessly. If there were no aggravating factors outside of a traffic violation, the state cannot successfully prosecute you for reckless driving. Gianni Karmily may be able to argue that what you did was not reckless driving, but rather a simple traffic violation. This defense may lead to the state reducing or dismissing the reckless driving charges.
Book Your Case Evaluation With Our Reckless Driving Attorney on Long Island
Have you been accused of reckless driving in Nassau County? This isn’t the same as being issued a traffic ticket—reckless driving is a criminal offense. Don’t fight these criminal charges alone—let reckless driving lawyer Gianni Karmily help. Gianni has helped countless clients protect their freedom by beating reckless driving charges. To schedule a case evaluation regarding your case, call 516-630-3405 or fill out the form on this website.