Reckless Driving Attorneys in Orlando

Protecting Your Rights and Driving Privileges

Many Florida motorists do not realize that they may be arrested and charged with reckless driving for intentionally disregarding the safety of others or property.

Individuals charged with reckless driving must appear in court and may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony based on the severity of the case.

If a driver operates their vehicle recklessly, which results in another person sustaining bodily injury, they can face felony charges.

Regardless of the circumstances involved in your case, you should never try to handle a reckless driving charge without the help of an experienced defense attorney.

Contact The Defense Group of Orlando, FL, to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about our legal services and how we can protect your rights.

When Can a Person Be Charged With Reckless Driving?

Under Florida law, an individual may be charged with reckless driving if the following legal elements apply:

• The defendant operated a motor vehicle.
• The defendant did so in a manner that displayed a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or property.

Reckless driving can be easily confused with careless driving. However, reckless driving is more about the accused’s state of mind and whether they intentionally operated their vehicle with a disregard for others and property.

One of the legal defenses for reckless driving that is often argued is that there was no intent on the driver’s part, and the charge should be reduced to careless driving.

Due to the complexities of Florida law, you must hire a defense attorney with the skills needed to assist you with a reckless driving charge.

Reckless driving is a crime that can leave you with a permanent record that could negatively impact your ability to attend the school of your choice, enlist in the military, or obtain employment.

If you need further clarification on what constitutes reckless driving in Florida, contact our law firm to schedule a meeting with a defense attorney who can answer your questions.

Are There Different Penalties for Reckless Driving?

The penalties that may be imposed for reckless driving depend on the type of charge you may be facing.

• First-offense reckless driving with no property damage or bodily injury is charged as a second-degree misdemeanor. A defendant may be sentenced to up to 90 days in jail or 6 months of supervised probation and a $500 fine if convicted.
• Second-offense reckless driving with no property damage or bodily injury is also a second-degree misdemeanor with a possible sentence of up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
• Reckless driving causing property damage or injury is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail or 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine.
• Reckless driving with serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony with a possible sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.

A reckless driving conviction will add four points to your driving record. Individuals who obtain 12 points within 12 months can have their driver’s license suspended for 30 days.

A lawyer must review your case to determine if you have been charged appropriately and inform you of your legal options.

Contact The Defense Group today to explore your legal options.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer to Help Me With a Reckless Driving Charge?

Because many individuals equate reckless driving charges to that of a traffic ticket, they feel they can handle their case independently.

A reckless driving conviction will stay on your permanent record, which may result in other long-term consequences.

As a result, anyone charged with reckless driving needs the help of a well-trained criminal defense lawyer who can help them navigate the legal system.

Some of the services a defense attorney can provide include:

• Help you avoid having your driver’s license suspended.
• Work with the prosecution to have the reckless driving charges dismissed or possibly reduced to a civil citation. A civil traffic citation typically involves paying a fine but does not result in a permanent criminal record.
• Ensure all legal paperwork is completed in full and turned in quickly.
• Evaluate the evidence against you.
• Act as your legal advocate in court if the prosecutor is unwilling to negotiate.

If you are facing a reckless driving charge, do not try to handle your case alone. Contact our Orlando law firm and allow us to thoroughly evaluate your case so that we may work to create innovative legal solutions that meet your needs.

Our skilled defense attorneys have a proven record of obtaining favorable results for clients and will work diligently to protect your license and freedom.

Why Should I Choose Your Defense Attorneys to Help Me Fight My Reckless Driving Charges?

If you have been charged with reckless driving, the prosecution must prove that intent, which can be incredibly challenging. However, you must have an attorney who is not afraid to fight the prosecution’s charges.

The Defense Group of Orlando has highly skilled lawyers who average over 30 years of legal experience. More importantly, our defense attorneys are all former prosecutors who know what it takes to get results.

Our lawyers have a definite advantage over other firms who may need more experience defending criminal cases. Over the years, we have established professional relationships with prosecutors to negotiate favorable client results.

Contact The Defense Group at our law offices in Orlando, FL, at 407-743-8430 and ask to schedule a free case evaluation to learn how we can assist you with your legal needs.