North Bethesda Reckless Driving Lawyers

Attorneys Addressing Charges Related to Unsafe Driving in North Bethesda, MD

Many drivers may think that a reckless driving charge is the same as another traffic ticket. That assumption can be costly. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor, which means a conviction will create a criminal record and could lead to penalties that may include time behind bars. For people in North Bethesda, a reckless driving charge after a traffic stop on I-270 or Rockville Pike can lead to long-term problems.

The lawyers at the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder represent people who are facing accusations of reckless driving or other related offenses. We have many years of experience representing clients in courts across all of Maryland. We know how prosecutors and judges handle these matters and what defenses are most likely to be successful. We take the time to prepare clients to defend against these charges, including explaining what will happen in court, what they should wear, and how they should speak to a judge. We will build effective strategies to help clients protect their licenses and their records while minimizing the penalties that could affect their lives.

What Counts as Reckless Driving in Maryland

Under Transportation Article § 21-901.1, a person could be charged with reckless driving if they are accused of operating a vehicle in a manner that shows that they have disregarded public safety. That is, reckless driving charges may apply if a person understood that their behavior was dangerous, knew that there was a possibility that others could be harmed in a car accident or another situation, but continued to behave recklessly.

Police in North Bethesda may arrest people based on a wide range of driving behavior, including:

• Extreme Speeding: When a person violates the speed limit, they may have little time to react to avoid a collision, and the force of an accident will increase. Exceeding the speed limit by at least 30 miles per hour is considered to be reckless driving, but other forms of speeding could also lead to reckless driving charges if other people were put at risk.
• Weaving Through Traffic: Rapid lane changes on the Capital Beltway, the I-270 spur, or other local roads or highways may force other drivers to brake or swerve suddenly, and a driver could face criminal charges if their actions demonstrated recklessness.
• Racing or Speed Contests: Racing other vehicles on public roads can lead to serious danger for everyone nearby. Other activities related to street racing, such as purposely skidding or driving close to bystanders, could also lead to criminal charges.
• Aggressive Driving: Multiple violations of offenses like speeding, tailgating, running red lights, or unsafe passing within a short period of time could lead to more serious charges than any of these violations on their own.
• Passing a Stopped School Bus: When a school bus has flashing red lights, drivers are required to stop in order to protect the safety of children who may be crossing the road. Drivers who do not stop may be charged with an offense related to recklessness because they put children at risk.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

In many cases, Maryland courts treat reckless driving offenses harshly. A conviction may lead to a sentence of up to 60 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. In some cases, a person could be charged with negligent driving rather than reckless driving because they allegedly drove carelessly without showing a reckless disregard for safety. Negligent driving could result in a fine of up to $750.

Convictions will also add points to a person's driver's license. These points can add up quickly. A driver who reaches eight points within two years will face a license suspension, and 12 points can lead to a license revocation. A reckless driving charge will add six points on its own, and combined with the points for other traffic violations, it can lead to the loss of a license.

Defense Options in Reckless Driving Cases

A reckless driving charge does not have to end in a conviction. Our lawyers will review every detail of what happened during a traffic stop and the evidence against a client. We will determine the strongest defense strategy to help avoid a misdemeanor conviction and reduce the penalties that may apply. We may:

Question Speed Measurements

If a reckless driving charge involving speeding was based on radar or laser readings, we will examine whether the device was calibrated and whether an officer was properly trained to use it. We may argue that the reading was incorrect because it was applied to the wrong vehicle.

Challenge an Officer's Account of What Happened

Because reckless driving involves a disregard for safety, the charges may be based on an officer's claims that a person was acting dangerously. However, dash camera and body camera footage, traffic conditions, and witness statements may show that a driver's actions did not rise to that level.

Argue for a Reduction to Negligent Driving

A reduction in charges from reckless driving to negligent driving can be beneficial. Negligent driving carries no jail time and a lower fine, and it will only add two points to a person's driver's license. Prosecutors may agree to a reduction based on mitigating information, such as a clean driving record, the completion of a driver improvement program, or evidence that a person did not act recklessly.

Seek Probation Before Judgment

In some cases, a judge may grant probation before judgment, which can help a person avoid a conviction and keep points off their driving record. We can determine whether this may be an option, and we can help clients understand what requirements they will need to meet to complete the terms of probation.

Contact Our North Bethesda, Maryland Reckless Driving Attorneys

A reckless driving charge can affect your freedom, your license, and your finances. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we can work to have these charges dismissed or reduced so that you will be able to avoid long-term penalties. Contact our North Bethesda, MD reckless driving defense lawyers at 301-762-7500 to discuss your case with our team in a free consultation.