Reckless Driving Ticket Lawyer in New York
If you’re facing a reckless driving ticket in NY, you could face serious legal consequences, ranging from heavy fines to jail time. You can trust our reckless driving ticket lawyer to help you fight unfair charges and protect your driving record. Our legal team, guided by Michael E. Beer, Esq., who has over 32 years of experience, offers tailored defense for tickets related to reckless driving and helps reduce the punishments tied to a reckless driving charge or citation for reckless driving.
Is Reckless Driving a Moving Violation in NY?
Reckless driving is viewed as a significant moving violation in New York. It surpasses traffic infractions and is considered a criminal offense because it presents a danger to public safety. Understanding the reckless driving penalties and legal consequences is essential. Dangerous actions like excessive speeding or substance use behind the wheel can lead to being charged with reckless driving to endanger. Some examples of behaviors that can be considered reckless driving under NY law include:
Driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit
Racing another vehicle on public roads
Running red lights repeatedly
Using drugs or alcohol while operating a motor vehicle
What Constitutes Careless Driving?
Driving without concern for others is often labeled as careless or reckless. These behaviors include reckless driving tickets for aggressive speeding or illegal maneuvers. While careless driving differs from a reckless driving charge, both can result in serious consequences like points, fees, and license suspension. You may also receive a reckless driving summons based on how the officer views your actions. Such behavior might involve:
Excessive speeding: Driving significantly over the speed limit in a way that endangers others.
Aggressive driving behaviors: Tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or road rage incidents.
Ignoring traffic signals: Running red lights or stop signs.
Dangerous maneuvering: Performing illegal turns, failing to yield, or making unsafe lane changes.
These actions show a disregard for safety and might result in a reckless driving charge with significant punishments.
Fines for Reckless Driving
The fine for reckless driving in New York typically starts at $100 and can reach $300 or more. These fines apply to initial offenses and increase significantly with additional violations. Beyond the primary fines, court fees and surcharges apply. Typical reckless driving penalties also include possible jail time or suspension. These may result from a reckless driving summons or a reckless driving to endanger charge, even for a first-time offense.
Reckless Driving Points NY
In New York, a reckless driving ticket conviction adds 5 points to your record. Reckless driving points in NY contribute to higher insurance and the Driver Responsibility Assessment. Many drivers ask: “Is reckless driving a moving violation, and how many points does it carry?” Understanding this is crucial to mitigating long-term effects.
Potential Jail Time
A reckless driving charge in NY is not merely a ticket; it's a criminal offense. Conviction can lead to potential jail time, starting with up to 30 days for a first offense. Multiple offenses can carry up to 180 days per charge. In addition to time behind bars, consequences include surcharges and the fine for reckless driving, especially if the incident involved dangerous behavior.
Defenses Against Reckless Driving Charges
Several probable defenses against unjust reckless driving charges are as follows:
Questioning the proof: You could question the accuracy of the equipment used to detect the offense. For example, the radar gun may have been faulty.
Absence of intent: Make it clear that the reckless driving action was not done with a conscious or careless disregard for safety.
Necessity or emergency: Argue that the seemingly reckless driving actions were needed because of an emergency.
Why Choose 5 Towns Traffic as Your Trusted Reckless Driving Ticket Lawyer in NY?
Having an experienced and devoted legal team is very important when dealing with reckless driving tickets and other serious traffic violations. At 5 Towns Traffic, we have over 32 years of traffic law experience and a confirmed history of assisting over 100,000 drivers like yourself. These are the reasons we excel:
Personalized Attention: You will talk directly to Michael E. Beer, Esq., not a junior clerk. Michael offers every customer personalized service according to their specific situation.
Knowledge and Honesty: We have been handling traffic law for years, so you know that your case is being handled by an expert.
Competitive Prices: Legal assistance should not cost a lot. We offer competitive charges and cooperate with you to ensure that professional legal aid is affordable for everyone.
Results that Are Proven: We have a proven track record in protecting drivers from the financial and legal consequences of failure to yield tickets.
Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee Consultation: Prevent extra penalties. Learn about and react to the driver responsibility assessment fee before it becomes an unbearable financial load.
Preventing License Suspension: Know about the point system and do things to stop your driver's license from being taken away.
Don’t wait. If you’ve received a reckless driving ticket or are facing a reckless driving charge in New York, take action immediately to avoid license suspension, steep fines, points on your record, or even jail time. A reckless driving conviction can have lasting consequences for your driving privileges and insurance rates.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a top-rated reckless driving ticket lawyer in New York. Let us help you fight your reckless driving citation or summons and work toward the best possible outcome.