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 in New York?
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.
What Behavior can Lead to a Reckless Driving Charge on Long Island?
A driver may be charged with reckless driving if their conduct shows a willful or unreasonable disregard for the safety of others. Examples may include:
- Excessive speeding or aggressive driving
- Weaving through traffic or unsafe lane changes
- Ignoring traffic signals or road signs
- Driving on the shoulder or sidewalk
- Engaging in street racing or other dangerous driving behavior
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 in New York?
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.
Can a Reckless Driving Charge be Reduced or Dismissed in New York?
Yes, a reckless driving charge in New York may be reduced or dismissed depending on the evidence, driving circumstances, and the defendant’s prior record. In many cases, prosecutors may agree to a reduction to a traffic violation or a lesser offense through negotiations. A dismissal may occur where the evidence is insufficient to establish reckless conduct or where there are significant legal or procedural issues affecting the case.
How do I Find a Reckless Driving Lawyer Near Me?
To find a reckless driving lawyer near you, search for a criminal defense attorney who regularly handles reckless driving and other criminal traffic offenses in your area. Review law firm experience, attorney qualifications, and client feedback, confirm the lawyer regularly represents clients in misdemeanor traffic crime cases, and schedule a case evaluation to discuss your charges and possible defense strategies.
How Much Do Nassau County Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys Cost?
One of the first questions that may cross your mind is, “How much will a Reckless Driving defense lawyer cost?” The answer to this question can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, the severity of the criminal charges, and the attorney’s experience in criminal law.
More complex cases involving serious crimes will require more of your attorney’s time, which means these cases will typically cost more than less serious offenses.
Reckless Driving defense attorneys usually charge flat fees for their legal services. Most attorneys charge a flat fee to handle pre-litigation matters and another flat fee if the case goes to hearings or trial.
Nassau County, Long Island, NY, is not the place to “Price Shop” for a Reckless Driving defense attorney. If you do that, you risk making a life-altering mistake that will haunt you forever. If a law firm charges less, always ask yourself the reason why they are a “Budget” law firm.
3 Reasons You Should Hire The Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC As Your Reckless Driving Defense Attorney
1) Lifelong Criminal Defense Attorney
Unlike most criminal defense attorneys, Gianni Karmily has been on the defense side his entire life from even before becoming a lawyer. While in law school, he was an intern for the public defender’s office at the Legal Aid and Defender Association in Detroit, Michigan. After moving back to Nassau County, Long Island, New York, he has been looking forward every day to being the voice of individuals facing criminal charges, including those accused of reckless driving.
There is a natural advantage to an attorney you hire who has not been on the prosecution side because they have a totally different mindset not susceptible to institutional bias, which makes you subconsciously conditioned to think in a certain way and accept certain things that could put your client in peril.
A lifelong criminal defense lawyer naturally possesses aggressive skepticism, which is an intense, active approach to questioning and challenging information, authority, and the system. That’s the reason they are best suited to effectively do their job, which is to be the voice of that person and aggressively push back to make sure the system doesn’t roll over them.
2) Direct Access
Gianni Karmily is the principal attorney of the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC. It is very important for our clients to be reassured that their reckless driving case doesn’t get shuffled around from one lawyer to another lawyer and from one paralegal to another paralegal. That is the reason they deal directly with Gianni for every aspect of representation, including court dates, case updates, and questions about their reckless driving charges. At the same time, Gianni regularly works with other experienced criminal defense attorneys and experts from different backgrounds to make sure he achieves the best result possible for all his clients.
3) Limit Number of Cases
The Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC is very thorough and doesn’t cut any corners when representing individuals accused of reckless driving. That’s the reason the law firm limits the number of cases it takes each month in order for each case to receive the individualized attention it deserves and for Gianni to dedicate the adequate time required for a sound defense. Your case could affect your freedom, your career, and your future. Make sure you have an attorney with the experience and time to protect all three.
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 confidential case evaluation with the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC, call our Great Neck office at (516) 630-3405 or our Hempstead office at (516) 614-4228.
