Columbia, Maryland Reckless Driving Lawyers

Attorneys Addressing Criminal Charges Related to Reckless Driving in Columbia

If you are facing charges of reckless driving, the situation will be more serious than a speeding ticket or another low-level traffic violation. Reckless driving is a criminal offense that can appear on your record for years and lead to other serious penalties. You could potentially face a jail sentence if you are convicted, and you will need to understand your best options for defense.

The lawyers at Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can provide the legal help you need as you defend against reckless driving charges. We can help you determine the best ways to protect your license, minimize the impact on your record, and avoid penalties that could affect your life and your future. We will stand by your side throughout your case and make sure you know what steps to take to avoid a conviction, put this matter behind you, and move forward with your life.

How Maryland Law Defines Reckless Driving

For drivers in Maryland, charges of reckless driving may apply if they have allegedly engaged in behavior that put other people at risk of harm, and they showed a willful disregard for public safety. An offense will typically involve accusations of "willful and wanton" conduct, and there are a variety of situations in which mistakes behind the wheel could lead to reckless driving charges. Some examples include:

• Extreme Speeding: Traveling 30 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit can result in an arrest for reckless driving. These offenses will not require proof of other types of dangerous behavior, and reckless driving charges may apply even if a person was driving on an open road with light traffic.
• Aggressive Lane Changes or Passing: Accusations may involve weaving between lanes, passing another vehicle on the shoulder of a road, or cutting off other vehicles at high speed.
• Racing or Dangerous Maneuvers: People who engage in races with other vehicles on public roads could be charged with reckless driving. Other types of maneuvers could also lead to reckless driving charges, such as skidding or donuts.
• Ignoring Traffic Control Devices: A person who allegedly ran through a red light or ignored a stop sign could face reckless driving charges if their actions led to an accident or put other people at risk.
• Distracted or Impatient Driving: People who use cell phones while driving or engage in other distracting activities may face reckless driving charges if their actions put other people at risk of harm. Other forms of dangerous or aggressive driving may also lead to reckless driving charges, such as tailgating behind other vehicles, swerving around slower traffic, or performing sudden, unsafe maneuvers.
• Dangerous Driving in Adverse Conditions: A person who travels at an unsafe speed during heavy rain, fog, or other adverse weather conditions or engages in maneuvers that could lead to accidents could be charged with reckless driving.

In many cases, reckless driving charges will be based on a police officer's evaluation of a person's conduct. An officer may look at traffic violations that allegedly occurred, a person's behavior while they were behind the wheel, and other factors to determine whether they engaged in conduct that showed that they ignored the rules of the road and did not pay attention to the potential risks of their actions.

Penalties for a Reckless Driving Conviction

• Criminal Penalties: A person who is convicted of reckless driving may face a jail sentence that could last for up to 60 days. They may also be charged with fines that may be as high as $1,000 dollars.
• Driver's License Consequences: A reckless driving conviction will add six points to a person's driving record. Accumulating too many points within a short period may require a person to take an educational course on safe driving practices. If the total number of points on a person's record exceeds a certain threshold, they may lose their license.
• Insurance and Financial Impact: Beyond the fines imposed by courts, drivers who are convicted of reckless driving will likely see their auto insurance premiums increase significantly. The total costs they will be required to pay to maintain coverage will often exceed the amount of any fines.
• Collateral Consequences: Certain people may need to maintain a clean driving record in order to maintain employment. A reckless driving charge could affect the career of a delivery driver, rideshare operator, or anyone else who drives for work.

Building a Strong Defense Against Reckless Driving Charges

Because of the real criminal consequences a person may face when they are charged with reckless driving, our attorneys work with clients to make sure they can defend against convictions. We will obtain information about an arrest and the specific charges against a person, including a police officer's written report and dash camera or body camera footage that captured a traffic stop and arrest. By comparing the officer's reports with what the evidence actually shows, we can highlight inconsistencies and argue for a dismissal or reduction of charges.

We may be able to show that a person did not engage in behavior that could be considered reckless. This may help charges be reduced from reckless driving to negligent driving, or we may be able to have charges dismissed entirely. When charges are based on excessive speed, our lawyers can review how a vehicle's speed was measured, whether a device was properly calibrated, and whether an officer followed the correct procedures. Challenging speed readings may lead to a speeding ticket rather than a reckless driving charge.

Our attorneys will make sure clients are fully prepared before ever stepping into a courtroom. We will explain what will happen at each hearing, gather character references or evidence of a clean driving history, and determine whether mitigating circumstances like an emergency may play a role in a case. We will work to achieve results that will help a person avoid a criminal record and other penalties that could affect their future.

Contact Our Columbia, MD Reckless Driving Lawyers

At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyers can review the facts of your case, explain the potential penalties you may face, and work with you to build the strongest possible defense against charges of reckless driving. Contact our Columbia reckless driving defense attorneys at 301-762-7500 to set up your free consultation.