how much does a lawyer charge for reckless driving ticket in georgia

Full Answer

What are the penalties for reckless driving in Georgia?

Unlike most traffic violations, reckless driving is considered to be a misdemeanor criminal offense and is punishable by up to 12 months in jail or a fine of up to $1,000. When faced with this serious charge, it’s important to contact a reckless driving lawyer in GA as soon as possible.

Will I go to jail for a reckless driving charge?

Many reckless driving convictions do not result in jail time — there is no minimum jail time and the 12 months maximum is standard language for all misdemeanors — but a jail sentence is possible depending on the case.

What happens if you get a reckless driving ticket in Texas?

Convicted motorists typically face up to a year in jail and/or a maximum $1,100 in fines. A reckless driving conviction will also add four demerit points to the motorist’s driving record and likely lead to increased insurance rates.

What constitutes criminal negligence in Georgia?

Georgia courts have interpreted the law as requiring an act of "criminal negligence," rather than an intentional act. In other words, there must be proof that the person drove in a dangerous manner and that the person should have been aware of the risks.

Can reckless driving be reduced in GA?

A reduction to Reckless Driving is technically a win as the DUI charge is dismissed. There is no mandatory drivers license suspension with a Reckless Driving conviction, just 4 points on your license. There is no mandatory minimum punishments with a Reckless Driving conviction like there are with a DUI conviction.

How long does a reckless driving charge stay on your record in Georgia?

for lifeMoreover, reckless driving stays on your record in Georgia for life. While less severe than a DUI, reckless driving can also result in penalties, such as: One-year license suspension.

Does reckless driving stay on your record Georgia?

How long is reckless driving on your record? In the state of Georgia, a charge of misdemeanor reckless driving stays on a driver's record for life. Moreover, the reckless driving law in Georgia has no option of expungement.

How do you get reckless driving off your record in Georgia?

Answer provided by. Unfortunately, you cannot get reckless driving expunged from your record in the state of Georgia. Reckless driving is considered a serious misdemeanor. The charge is so severe that reckless driving is punishable with up to $1,000 in fines and a year in jail.

How many points is reckless driving in GA?

4 pointsThe Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points. A driver with 15 points in a 24-month period will be suspended....Points Schedule.Code SectionOffensePenalty40-6-390Reckless Driving4 points40-6-393.1(c)Feticide by Vehicle-2nd Degree3 points40-6-397Aggressive Driving6 points101 more rows

What speed is considered reckless driving in Georgia?

There is no defined speed that is considered reckless driving in Georgia since reckless driving is just defined as driving with “a willful disregard for the safety of others and their property.” However, you can certainly get a reckless driving charge for speeding in Georgia—typically, you'll be charged with reckless ...

Is reckless driving a criminal offense?

If there are damages and injuries as a result of reckless driving, then the Revised Penal Code will be applied. According to DOJ, "depending on the extent of damages caused, a person may be charged with crimes such as physical injuries, damage to property or even homicide and murder."

What is a Super Speeder fee in Georgia?

$200 feeGeorgia defines a Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at 75mph or more on a two-lane road or 85 mph or more on any road or highway in Georgia. In addition to any fees and punishments assessed by the Court, a Super Speeder must pay an extra $200 fee to the state.

How much is an aggressive driving ticket in GA?

$5,000The Penalty for Aggressive Driving in Georgia In Georgia, a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature comes with the penalty of a fine up to $5,000, a prison term up to 12 months, or both. Additionally, an aggressive driving conviction will add 6 points to your license.

How long does a ticket stay on your record in Georgia?

two yearsIn Georgia, points remain on a driver's record for two years. However, they drop off at the two-year mark from the exact date each point was added. That means if you receive more than one ticket at different times, some points may come off sooner than others.

Do misdemeanors go away in GA?

Under the new law, if your arrest is not referred for prosecution, it will be restricted from your GCIC criminal history record automatically after a period of two (2) years for misdemeanors, four (4) years for most felonies, and seven (7) years for serious violent and sex-related felonies.

Can you go to jail for a speeding ticket in Georgia?

Punishment for Speeding. Speeding is a misdemeanor in Georgia. As such, it generally carries a punishment which can range up to 12 months of incarceration and a $1,000 fine. Obviously, most court dispositions of speeding offenses involve no jail time and lower than the maximum fine.

How much is reckless driving in Georgia?

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor charge in Georgia. This means it will come with a fine up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, and possibly community service, completion of a drug and alcohol valuation, or other conditions the judge imposes. As stated previously, it will result in 4 points being added to the driver's license. For drivers under 21, their license will be automatically suspended.

What happens if you are charged with reckless driving in Georgia?

When police officers think the safety of other individuals on the road is ignored, it generally results in a charge of reckless driving. Reckless driving may result in an accident, but a driver can still be issued a ticket even if there was no wreck. We help hundreds of clients every year that have been charged with reckless driving. It is considered a serious traffic offense in Georgia and results in 4 points being added to a driver's license. Our Georgia Reckless Driving Lawyers are skilled in investigating cases, developing defenses, and presenting them to the prosecutor and the court.

What is reckless driving?

According to O.C.G.A. §40-6-350, reckless driving occurs when any person drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property.

Can a DUI be reduced to reckless driving?

Many people seek for their DUI charge to be reduced to reckless driving. Prosecutors sometimes amend DUI charges in cases where a driving offense did occur, but the State is unable to prove it was the result of being under the influence. If charged with a DUI, a reduction to reckless driving is considered a win. The driver will avoid a license suspension and having a DUI on their permanent criminal record.

How much is a reckless driving ticket?

The law does not require a fine for a driving violation like this one, but allows it to be up to $1,000. It is rare for the court to impose no fine if you were driving recklessly — and remember that court costs are often added to the total fine, so you could potentially be looking at a fine that’s well above $1000. In addition, a reckless driving conviction adds 4 points on your license and will be reported to the DDS and added to your permanent driving record. If you are under 21, the consequences for driving recklessly are even more serious: They could cause a license suspension, which may affect your ability to get to class or work. And although no jail time is required, a judge may sentence you to up to 12 months in jail. It is rare to be sentenced to 12 months in jail for this kind of traffic ticket, but a judge may require a moderate amount of jail, depending on the circumstances.

What is reckless driving in Georgia?

In Georgia, reckless driving is defined as operating a vehicle with "reckless disregard of persons or property." The definition is purposefully vague, so that it may be applied to numerous types of dangerous driving. No matter how you define it, though, a traffic citation for driving recklessly is certain to impact your life due to various consequences.

What happens if you get arrested for reckless driving in Georgia?

The consequences of a reckless driving conviction in Georgia can be serious , especially when the offense involved injuries. If you've been arrested for or charged with reckless driving, get in contact with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A qualified attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on how best to handle your situation.

How much is reckless driving?

But generally, reckless driving is a misdemeanor. Convicted motorists typically face up to a year in jail and/or a maximum $1,100 in fines. A reckless driving conviction will also add four demerit points to the motorist's driving record and likely lead to increased insurance rates.

What is reckless disregard in Georgia?

The offense is defined as driving a vehicle in "reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property.". Georgia courts have interpreted the law as requiring an act of "criminal negligence," rather than an intentional act. In other words, there must be proof that the person drove in a dangerous manner and that the person should have been aware ...

What to do if you face a criminal charge?

If you face criminal charges, consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer. An attorney with command of the rules in your jurisdiction will be able to explain the law as it applies to your situation.

What is reckless driving in Georgia?

Reckless driving is a crime in the state of Georgia that includes driving in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property. There are many examples of reckless driving including high speed, weaving, and other types of motor vehicle operation that leads to an accident. This is an offense that legal counsel frequently seeks to obtain in order to reduce driving under the influence charges.

What happens if you are charged with reckless driving?

Unless you were involved in a motor vehicle accident causing injuries, you will usually be given the notice to appear in court soon after being charged with reckless driving. If you’re faced with a reckless driving charge, it is often a wise idea to immediately retain the services of a skilled traffic attorney like the legal counsel at Yeargan & Kert, LLC.

How many years in jail for reckless driving?

Motor vehicle drivers who cause severe injuries to another individual while driving recklessly can be convicted of an offense called “serious injury by vehicle” which has the potential to result in one to twelve in prison as well as other various potential consequences.

How does insurance find a conviction?

The easiest way your insurance company discovers a conviction is through your driving record. We are very successful in avoiding ANY record. We can prevent ANY points from being assessed. Recently, we’ve seen a push by some data-mining companies to find infractions even if they are not on your driving record (other ticket defense firms won’t tell you this). Then they sell this information to your insurance company so they can raise your rates. At Hendrick and Henry, we do everything in our power to make this difficult for your insurance company.

Does Hendrick and Henry have a speeding division?

We have developed a highly specialized division of our firm dealing only with Georgia traffic and speeding issues. That means that our firms’ attorneys are actually practicing in the local Georgia courts where your ticket will be prosecuted — day to day, month to month, and year to year. For over thirteen years, the traffic division attorneys at Hendrick & Henry have cultivated these relationships and will put them to work for you.

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Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is when someone drives their automobile in a way that shows reckless disregard for the safety of other people and property.

What are the Consequences of a Reckless Driving Ticket in Georgia?

A maximum fine of $1,000. The fine will vary depending on the jurisdiction, whether there are aggravating or mitigating factors, and your driving record;

How can we help you?

Having a skilled and experienced Georgia reckless driving attorney on your case will help you achieve a better result.

About Shank

Attorney Shashank (“Shank”) Anand graduated from the Georgia State University, College of Law. He has been practicing traffic ticket defense in Metro Atlanta since 2008 and has experience working in over 40 different courts in the state of Georgia.