Reckless driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in New York state. For this very reason, the state cracks down on these incidents with harsh penalties. That is, a reckless driving ticket can have a seriously negative impact on your life and livelihood. If you are facing this charge, read on to discover the consequences of this ticket and how a seasoned Garden City, NY reckless driving lawyer at Grunwald & Seman, P.C. can fight for your rights and determine the best legal approach to take.
How does New York state define reckless driving?
New York state defines reckless driving as the operating of a vehicle in a manner that unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway, or unreasonably endangers users of the public highway. Reckless driving can be considered as excess speeding, improper passing, unsafe lane changes, failing to follow street signs, etc.
What are the consequences of a reckless driving ticket in New York state?
Usually, traffic tickets are considered minor infractions, and as such only come with small fines, court surcharges, and increased insurance premiums via added points to your license. However, reckless driving is considered a different and much more serious offense in New York state.
Specifically, reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor, which is a crime that comes with serious consequences. For a first offense, these consequences read as follows:
- Up to 30 days in jail.
- Fines anywhere between $100 to $300.
- Up to 5 points on your license.
And if you continue to commit additional offenses, the penalties will inevitably worsen. These penalties read as follows:
Second-offense reckless driving ticket (within 18 months of your previous offense):
- Up to 90 days in jail.
- Fines anywhere between $100 to $525.
- Up to 5 points on your license.
Third-offense reckless driving ticket (within 18 months of your first offense):
- Up to 180 days in jail.
- Fines anywhere between $100 to $1,125.
- Up to 5 points on your license.
What are the consequences of having points on my license after a reckless driving ticket?
One of the most common consequences of having points on your license includes rising insurance premiums. If you have six or more points on your license within 18 months, you may have to pay a $100 yearly fine for three years. Also, you may face a license suspension if you have received 11 or more points on your license within 18 months.
With that being said, one of the first steps you should take is to retain the services of one of the skilled Garden City, NY traffic violation attorneys. We will work to explore all possible avenues of defense.
Contact Our Long Island Firm
If you need experienced legal counsel for a criminal matter on Long Island or anywhere in New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation.
