Reckless Driving Offenses in New York | What You Should Know

Even though reckless driving is a misdemeanor and not a felony, the possible consequences are significant. In addition to being required to pay a substantial fine and fees, you may also have to spend several weeks in jail. Furthermore, you will also end up with a permanent criminal record. If you face charges for reckless driving, please read on, then contact an experienced Spring Valley reckless driving lawyer to learn what you should know about reckless driving offenses in New York.

What happens if you sustain convictions for reckless driving in New York?

Depending on the number of times, if any, you have previously sustained convictions for this or related offenses, your penalties will vary. However, you should know that they grow in severity with each subsequent conviction. The following are the penalties you will face for reckless driving:

First offense reckless driving:

• A fine of $100 to $300
• A jail sentence of up to 30 days

Second offense reckless driving (within 18 months):

• A fine of $100 to $525
• A jail sentence of up to 90 days

Third offense reckless driving (within 18 months):

• A fine of $100 to $1,125
• A jail sentence of up to 180 days
• Revocation of your driving privileges

Regardless of how many times you have allegedly committed this or related offenses in the past, you should reach out to a skilled Spring Valley traffic violation attorney to discuss how you should proceed.

What can a Spring Valley traffic violation attorney do for you?

A qualified legal professional will likely raise the following arguments:

• You were not the one driving the car: This is a strong defense because the prosecution must have proof of you driving the vehicle.
• You were engaged in careless driving, not reckless driving: Though both are considered traffic violations, careless driving is considered less serious, as evidenced by its minimized penalties.
• The reckless driving was not willful or intentional: Furthermore, you might argue that the reckless driving was necessary because of some emergency that presented a threat to you or a third party.
• You were not being reckless, but negligent: Coupled with other arguments, this defense contends that you were not driving unsafely and that you followed all the other driving instructions, like wearing a seat belt.
• The devices used for measuring speed were not maintained or calibrated properly: These poorly-maintained devices led to an inaccurate determination of speed.

You should not face these charges alone, regardless of the strategy you adopt. We can handle this for you, so please give us a call today.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED ROCKLAND COUNTY FIRM

Kevin T. Conway has over 30 years of experience as a Spring Valley criminal attorney handling DUI, DWI, traffic violations, violent crimes, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, shoplifting, and juvenile crimes. Attorney Conway is also experienced in commercial law matters, zoning law, and estate planning. If you need a Rockland County criminal lawyer, contact our Spring Valley office for a free consultation.