If you have received a ticket for reckless driving, the last thing you need to do is simply to appear in court without the benefit of legal counsel. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is that the laws vary from one state to the next. Even if a friend or relative has received such a ticket in the state you currently live in, the results of a reckless driving citation can be much different from one case to the next. The following are a few things that apply to most state laws.
There are different reasons for a citation
Unlike other traffic violations, this type of ticket can mean different things, and in most jurisdictions, there are usually several. One example is speeding more than a specified amount over the posted speed limit. Another example is that you weren't speeding, but you were driving in a way that endangered other drivers or pedestrians. A third example is that you did not maintain control over your vehicle because your car hasn't undergone proper maintenance on the brakes or other important aspect of vehicle maintenance. The specific laws regarding what constitutes reckless driving will be defined by the vehicle code of your state.
The punishment can vary greatly
Although fines are something you would anticipate, they can be much greater than you expect. You can also be sentenced to jail or a lighter sentence such as community work. When you are sentenced, even to community work, it is likely that this will appear on your permanent record. You could also have your driver's license suspended for a period of time, just as you could with a conviction of driving under the influence.
There may be severe insurance consequences
Along with fines and other punishments that you may receive in court, there are things outside of court that can happen to you as a result of this type of traffic violation. At the top of the list is your insurance. Reckless driving can be treated by some insurance companies as the equivalent of a conviction for driving under the influence, at least in terms of your premiums. Your premiums may increase more than they would if it was a simple speeding ticket. Some insurance companies may drop your insurance altogether.
From the moment you receive a reckless driving ticket, you should begin looking for a traffic violation lawyer from a firm like Tolbert & Tolbert, LLP. This type of ticket can be complex, and the punishments are more severe than you imagine. An attorney may not be able to have the ticket dismissed, but he or she can often mitigate the effect of the ticket on your life and your finances.
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