Reckless driving charges are more severe than a simple speeding ticket. If you are facing West Palm Beach reckless driving penalties, you should contact an attorney right away. Our dedicated lawyers from Leifert & Leifert could advocate for you and help you get your charged dropped or penalties mitigated. Contact an accomplished reckless driving lawyer today and set up a consultation.
Reckless Driving Consequences
Depending on the number of prior offenses and the extent of property damages or injuries, the maximum penalty for reckless driving is a year in jail. For a first offense reckless driving with no bodily injuries and no property damage, the maximum penalty is 90 days in jail and up to $500 in fines. The minimum penalty for this offense could be paying a fine or court costs. A second reckless driving charge can lead to up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Also, the individual may be placed on probation. Being on probation requires that the individual reports once a month to their probation officer. They cannot get into any legal trouble and must complete other specific special terms ordered by the judge. Specific terms a judge might order are driving school, community service, and a driver’s license suspension.
There are other classes besides driving school they could attend such as a victim impact panel. An experienced lawyer could explain the different levels of driving school.
The West Palm Beach reckless driving penalties are more severe if the individual causes an accident that leads to property damage or a bodily injury. If a driver causes a bodily injury or property damages, they could be facing up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000.
What to Expect From a Reckless Driving Charge
When someone represents themselves in a reckless driving case, they must talk to the Judge and Prosecutor, not their lawyer. They are charged with the crime and must appear in court for an arraignment. The results depend on the facts of their case, the officer who wrote the ticket, the prosecutor, and the judge.
When a person retains the services of a criminal lawyer to help them resolve a reckless driving case, they or their lawyer go to court for an arraignment. Their lawyer pleads them not guilty thereby canceling the court date and the case is set for future court dates with an appropriate courthouse for each court date. Near each court date, the attorney negotiates with the prosecutor to get the best possible outcome for the defendant, which could be a negotiated dismissal.
That means the individual agrees to do specific tasks to have the charges dismissed. If that is amenable to all of the parties involved, there is no need for anyone to go to court and the process is relatively simple. The process depends upon the facts of the person’s case, whether or not they are represented, their record, the Prosecutor, and the Judge.
How do West Palm Beach Prosecutors and Judges Treat Reckless Driving Cases?
The Prosecutors and Judges treat reckless driving cases individually depending on the facts of each case. Some behaviors that may have an impact on the outcome of a reckless driving case include the following:
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Improper passing
- Driving in the middle of the road
- Failing to look for pedestrians and/or children
- Weaving in and out of traffic
The Judges and Prosecutors look at the facts that brought the person into court and take into consideration the individual’s prior history. The more dangerous the driving behavior, the more seriously they treat the case. When someone has a criminal record, the authorities pay more attention to the case.
Contact an Experienced West Palm Beach Attorney
If you are looking at West Palm Beach penalties, you should obtain a well-versed lawyer today. Our attorneys at Leifert & Leifert have experience handling these cases and may be able to help you get the best possible outcome. Call us today.
