Hyattsville, Maryland Reckless Driving Defense Lawyers

Attorneys Helping People Who Have Been Arrested for Reckless Driving in Hyattsville

In many cases, a traffic citation can be resolved by paying a fine through the mail or online. However, reckless driving is different from minor traffic violations. Reckless driving is a criminal offense rather than a civil infraction, and a conviction will become part of a person's criminal record rather than just a mark on their driving history. For people who are accused of reckless driving after traffic stops or accidents, understanding how to respond to these charges and defend against a criminal conviction can be crucial.

At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our attorneys can provide legal help for people in Hyattsville who have been arrested on reckless driving charges. We can help clients understand what is at stake in these cases, how to respond to accusations that they drove in a reckless and unsafe manner, and how to resolve cases while minimizing the penalties that may apply.

We strive to maintain clear communication with our clients and provide steady support throughout a case. We will explain what will happen at each court date, walking clients through the best ways to dress and maintain a professional appearance while making sure they are prepared to respond to questions that may be asked by a judge. Our goal is to make sure clients will be ready to address legal concerns while minimizing anxiety when walking into the courtroom.

Why Reckless Driving Is Treated as a Serious Offense

Drivers may be arrested for reckless driving based on accusations that they operated motor vehicles on public roads or highways in ways that showed a willful disregard for the safety of other people. Because reckless driving is a criminal charge, a person cannot simply pay a fine and move on. Court appearances will be required, and a prosecutor will present evidence showing why a person should be convicted. Our attorneys understand how these cases are handled, and we can help clients determine the best strategies that will help them avoid convictions.

Situations That May Lead to Reckless Driving Arrests

There are a variety of actions that may be taken by drivers that could lead to accusations of reckless driving. Excessive speeding is a common factor in these cases, since Maryland law states that a person who drives 30 miles per hour or more over the speed limit may be charged with reckless driving. Police officers may also arrest a person for reckless driving based on allegations of dangerous actions, such as weaving through multiple lanes of traffic, tailgating behind other vehicles at high speeds, passing on the shoulder, running red lights or stop signs in ways that increased the risks of car accidents, or racing with other vehicles.

A person may be arrested for reckless driving after a car accident. Based on the evidence surrounding an accident or statements made by witnesses, an officer may believe that a person caused a collision by driving in a manner they knew was dangerous. These cases may lead to more serious penalties, since they may involve serious injuries affecting the people involved in an accident.

Penalties for People Convicted of Reckless Driving

A conviction for reckless driving in Maryland can result in a fine as high as $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. Along with the criminal penalties, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will typically add six points to a person's driving record for a reckless driving conviction.

When points add up on a person's record, they may be required to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. If a person has at least eight points on their record, their driver's license will be suspended. For people who rely on driving for work, such as delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, or anyone who needs to drive during their daily commute, the loss of a driver's license can threaten their livelihood.

Building a Defense Against Reckless Driving Charges

A reckless driving case will depend on the observations made by the officer who made the arrest. Our attorneys can review how an officer measured a vehicle's speed or their claims about a person's conduct while driving. Radar or laser speed detection devices are not always accurate, and we can take steps to determine if speed measurements may have been incorrect. Challenging evidence of speeding could reduce reckless driving charges to a speeding ticket, or it may result in the dismissal of charges altogether.

Our lawyers will also look at whether the conduct described by a police officer was serious enough to be considered reckless driving. We may argue that a person's conduct involved carelessness, but that they did not purposely act unsafely and should not be charged with reckless driving. We may argue to have charges reduced to negligent driving, which is a less serious offense that will not result in a criminal conviction and will not require a person to serve any jail time.

We may also work with prosecutors to negotiate a reduction to another traffic offense or dismiss the charges against our client. Our goal is to minimize the impact of the charges on our client's record while helping to avoid the loss of a driver's license or other consequences, such as increased insurance rates.

Contact Our Hyattsville, MD Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys

To prevent a conviction that could leave you with a criminal record, affect your driving privileges, and place limits on what you can do during your daily life, you will need a strong defense against reckless driving charges. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our attorneys are ready to work with you to reduce or eliminate the consequences you may face and help you move forward with your life after your case is closed. Contact our Hyattsville reckless driving lawyers at 301-762-7500 to set up your free consultation.