Ellicott City, MD Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Defending Against Reckless Driving Charges in Ellicott City, Maryland

When a person is accused of behaving dangerously while behind the wheel and putting others at risk, they could be charged with reckless driving. This is a criminal offense, not a simple traffic infraction, and a conviction can result in a permanent criminal record, driver's license points, and even time behind bars in some cases. Understanding how to respond to reckless driving charges and defend against a conviction can be crucial, and legal help from an attorney can make sure a person will be able to address these charges correctly.

The lawyers at Law Offices of Mallon Snyder provide representation for people in Ellicott City and the surrounding areas who are facing reckless driving charges. We work to protect our client's records, their driving privileges, and their futures. We can provide the guidance clients need during these cases, making sure they understand the best steps to take to resolve reckless driving charges successfully.

Helping Clients Understand Reckless Driving Charges

When a person has been arrested for reckless driving, our attorneys can review the charges and the officer's description of what happened, ensuring that our client understands exactly what they have been accused of and what a prosecutor must prove to secure a conviction. We will explain the difference between a routine traffic violation and a criminal charge, walk clients through what to expect at each court date, and answer questions honestly so that our client will understand how their case will be handled.

Because reckless driving cases often depend on an officer's opinions about a driver's conduct or on the accuracy of speed detection equipment, our lawyers will review police reports, dash camera or body camera footage, and other information, looking for inconsistencies. We will work to identify weaknesses in the case against our client and build a strong defense against a criminal conviction. Our goal is to resolve a reckless driving case in a way that will minimize the impact on a client's life.

The Difference Between Traffic Violations and Criminal Charges for Reckless Driving

Reckless driving charges are more serious than typical traffic infractions, such as speeding tickets or red light violations. Reckless driving is considered to be a criminal offense that shows that a person had a disregard for the safety of others. A person could be charged with reckless driving based on accusations that they operated a motor vehicle unsafely while willfully disregarding the possibility that they could cause harm to other people. Speeding by at least 30 miles per hour can also result in reckless driving charges.

In some cases, people may be charged with negligent driving, which is a related but less serious offense. Negligent driving will generally involve operating a vehicle in a careless manner that puts others at risk without showing a willful disregard for other people's safety. In some cases, it may be possible to reduce reckless driving charges to negligent driving, which may allow a case to be resolved with less serious penalties.

Penalties for a Reckless Driving Conviction

A person who is convicted of reckless driving could be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail, fined up to $1,000, or both. A reckless driving conviction will also result in six points being added to a person's driving record. This will typically require a person to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program, and depending on the total number of points on their record, their driver's license could be suspended or revoked.

If reckless driving allegedly resulted in an accident in which someone was seriously injured, a person may face more serious charges. Causing a life-threatening injury through criminally negligent driving is a misdemeanor offense that may lead to a sentence of up to one year in jail, a fine as high as $5,000, or both. If reckless driving allegedly led to someone's death, a person could be charged with manslaughter by vehicle, which is a felony offense with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Defending Against Reckless Driving Convictions

Our attorneys can provide guidance on the options that may be available for defending against reckless driving charges. Potential strategies may include:

• Challenging a Police Officer's Observations: Reckless driving charges may be based on an officer's descriptions of a driver's conduct. Our lawyers can look at whether the evidence actually supports claims that a person disregarded the safety of other people or whether their actions were simply negligent.
• Questioning Speed Detection Evidence: When reckless driving charges are based on claims that a person was driving at an unsafe speed, our attorneys may be able to challenge the methods used to measure their speed. We can review whether radar devices or other equipment were calibrated and used properly.
• Presenting Mitigating Evidence: In some cases, our lawyers may be able to present evidence about a client's driving history or the circumstances surrounding an incident to show that they did not willfully disregard other people's safety. We may argue that they took actions out of necessity or that they made a mistake rather than acting recklessly. This may help to reduce charges to negligent driving or secure a dismissal.
• Addressing Related Charges: When charges of reckless driving involve accusations that a person caused someone to suffer a serious injury, our attorneys can make sure all charges related to an alleged offense are addressed correctly. We may take steps to show that the injuries that occurred were not serious or that an injury occurred for reasons other than reckless driving.

Contact Our Ellicott City Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys

Because reckless driving is a criminal offense, these charges deserve serious attention. At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our attorneys can review the facts of a case and develop a defense strategy to help a client avoid a criminal conviction or reduce the ways their life may be affected. Contact our Ellicott City, MD reckless driving lawyers at 301-762-7500 to arrange a free consultation.