Jun 27, 2018 · Embracing another person: embracing or holding another person while driving can be considered reckless driving as it can affect your ability to steer, shift, affect your vision or slow your reaction times. Racing: racing another vehicle will typically be cited as reckless driving and is illegal on Washington state roads and highways. Penalties. The penalties for reckless driving …
Perhaps the biggest consequence of reckless driving Washington State imposes a licenses suspension. A reckless driving conviction will result in the suspension of your drivers license for 30 days. This is imposed by the Department of Licensing and is a mandatory penalty. You are eligible to drive during the 30 day license suspension with an occupational license, but there …
Dealing with the Charge of Reckless Driving in Washington On the administrative end, you can employ options such as contesting the impending suspension, attending DOL-approved awareness programs or obtaining an Occupational Restricted License (ORL).
Jun 25, 2018 · What is Reckless Driving? Reckless driving is when a driver operates a motor vehicle in a way that shows an complete disregard for safety of property or other people. This mean the defendant knew that operating a motor vehicle can be extremely dangerous, but chose to do so despite the risks.
The consequences of a reckless driving conviction in Washington can be serious. If you've been arrested for or charged with reckless driving, get in contact with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Reckless driving is a gross misdemeanor in Washington. Anyone convicted of reckless driving is looking at up 364 days in jail and a maximum of $5,250 in fines and penalty assessments. The motorist also faces a license suspension of at least 30 days.
Generally, second-degree negligent driving is a traffic infraction. A violation carries up to $500 in fines and penalty assessments. Offenses involving death or injury to a "vulnerable victim.". Enhanced penalties apply to second-degree negligent driving offenses where a "vulnerable victim" is killed or seriously injured.
To help the attorneys better evaluate your case , please provide details about your arrest (including the reported blood alcohol level), any history of DUI arrests and convictions, and upcoming court dates. Step 5 of 5
As used in the statute, "negligent" means an act that a reasonably careful person wouldn't do or a failure to do something that a reasonably careful person would do. Washington also has a law that makes embracing another in a manner that " prevents ...
In some states, it's possible for a driver who's charged with driving under the influence (DUI) to plea bargain for a lesser charge. When a DUI is plea-bargained down to a reckless driving charge, it's sometimes called a " wet reckless ."
When a DUI is plea-bargained down to a reckless driving charge, it's sometimes called a " wet reckless .". Washington doesn't restrict plea bargaining in DUI case.
For those that find themselves with multiple reckless driving convictions, or some combination of DUI, reckless driving and/or other driving offenses, a reckless driving conviction carries with it the possibility of being deemed a Washington State habitual traffic offender (HTO) and a 7 year license suspension.
A reckless driving conviction will result in the suspension of your drivers license for 30 days. This is imposed by the Department of Licensing and is a mandatory penalty.
When it comes to reckless driving Washington State law is very strict. While it is only a misdemeanor, it can have significant consequences for you and your ability to drive, in the short term and far into the future.
In Washington reckless driving is defined as operating a vehicle on a public roadway with disregard for the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, passengers or property.
The Department of Licensing in Washington does not employ a point-based system; however, certain offenses, such as reckless driving, carry mandatory suspension periods upon conviction. Likewise, 4 moving violations within a 1-year period, or 5 within a 2-year period, result in a 30-day suspension.
On the administrative end, you can employ options such as contesting the impending suspension, attending DOL-approved awareness programs or obtaining an Occupational Restricted License (ORL).
Involving a lawyer from the outset is wise because the potential penalties in a reckless driving case are severe. Although reckless driving convictions often return sentences that are fairly lenient, legal counsel can negotiate such outcomes.
Under Washington law, reckless driving is defined as driving a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Courts have interpreted this statute to include circumstances when a person puts themselves at risk. It is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $5,000. Reckless driving is an arrestable offense, and many people stopped by the police for this crime are handcuffed and taken to jail. When the police allege that racing or "road rage" occurred, they will issue a ticket for reckless driving. A person convicted of reckless driving will need to obtain SR-22 or "high risk" insurance.
Sometimes a charge of reckless driving is the result of a plea bargain in a DUI case. Under new state statute, if a person is convicted of reckless driving (that is plead down from DUI), he or she must install an ignition interlock device on his or her car. When a defendant is charged with a more serious crime such as vehicular assault or felony eluding, the defense attorney might request that the jury be able to consider the lesser charge of reckless driving. However, under new court precedents, this is harder and harder to do. When a person is charged with reckless driving, the defense lawyer will often attempt to get the charge reduced down to negligent driving 2 nd degree.
In the past, prosecuting attorneys were able to have juries instructed that they can infer recklessness based on excessive speed alone. However, such instructions have been ruled unconstitutional. When determining if traveling at high speed amounts to reckless driving, jurors often look at the weather conditions, lighting conditions, the type of car, and how many other vehicles were on the road. What might be reckless on state route 2 might not amount to recklessness on I-90. Speaking on a cell phone can be a contributing factor.
Although state laws vary in defining reckless driving, some common examples of reckless driving include: 1 Speeding excessively of over 25 miles over the posted speed limit 2 Tailgating 3 Illegal passing (for example, passing on a curve or using the opposing traffic lane to pass) 4 Weaving through traffic 5 Ignoring traffic signs and signals 6 Driving a vehicle known to have faulty brakes or other dangerous flaws 7 Racing other cars 8 Escaping from a police officer after a traffic stop
This includes: The time of day and whether the drivers driving was safe. Weather conditions. The presence of other people. The driver’s act was beyond mere negligence.
Your driving privileges may be suspended. You may have to pay fines of up to $2,500 depending on your state’s laws. You may face jail time of up to one year. The severity of your penalties will depend primarily on your state’s laws and your prior driving history.
Even if your state classifies reckless driving as a driving offense, you can still benefit from the aid of a lawyer. A criminal defense attorney can represent you in court, negotiate a plea bargain, or seek to lower your fines or jail time. Post Your Case - Get Answers from Multiple Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Depending on what state you live in, reckless driving is either a mis demeanor criminal offense or a misdemeanor traffic offense. Some states call the violation of reckless driving as “careless driving.”.