Stopped for Reckless Driving?
Protect Yourself & Call a San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer
Reckless driving is defined in California Vehicle Code § 23103 as driving “a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property…” Under this law, a person who is believed to be driving in such a manner as to put the safety of other people and property in danger may face criminal charges. Excessive speeding is one example of driving behavior that may be considered reckless driving, leaving a driver facing jail time, fines, community service, two points on his or her driving record, and increased insurance costs.
It is important to protect your rights if you’ve been pulled over for reckless driving. It is also important to remember that this is a criminal offense and it will remain on your record, affecting many areas of your life. Not to mention the fact that you could face up to 90 days in jail if convicted. A San Diego criminal defense attorney can help you avoid these serious consequences, and the team at Premier Criminal Defense is well-equipped to help. Our lead attorney has 17 years of legal experience and is a former prosecutor. With his knowledge and determination, combined with our firm’s resources and personnel, we can achieve outstanding results for our clients in the face of reckless driving and all types of criminal charges.
Call Premier Criminal Defense at (619) 374-1268 for a no-cost case evaluation.
Reckless Driving Is a Misdemeanor in California
In California, a driver may be charged with a misdemeanor for reckless driving, facing up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If someone could have been seriously injured in the incident, a driver could face charges for assault with a deadly weapon. If someone was injured or killed, a driver could face felony charges and prison time.
There are two primary elements to a reckless driving charge that the prosecution must prove to secure a conviction:
- The defendant was operating a vehicle on a highway, public roadway, or parking facility.
- The defendant intentionally drove with a wanton (deliberate and unprovoked) disregard for the safety of other people or property.
When you work with Premier Criminal Defense, your San Diego criminal lawyer will work to challenge evidence, expose constitutional rights violations, and take other steps to weaken the prosecution’s case. Intent is a key part of this charge, and it can be difficult to prove what a person was thinking at the time of an alleged offense. We can use this and other strategies to seek the best possible result in your case.
For skilled defense against reckless driving charges, call (619) 374-1268.