North Laurel Reckless Driving Defense Lawyers

Attorneys for Reckless Driving Offenses in North Laurel, Maryland

Traffic in and around North Laurel can test anyone's patience. Congestion on Interstate 95, stop-and-go traffic on local roads, and other situations where drivers get frustrated can lead people to make mistakes. While violations of traffic laws are often treated as minor offenses, and they may lead to traffic tickets and fines, certain types of offenses are taken more seriously.

A person who has been accused of reckless driving will likely face higher fines than they would in other situations, and they could even be required to spend time in jail. A conviction on reckless driving charges can also put a person's driver's license at risk, which could have a huge impact on their daily life and their ability to maintain employment. At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyers can help people fight reckless driving charges and defend against serious penalties. We know how these matters are handled in local courts, and we can take steps to have charges reduced or dismissed whenever possible.

A strong understanding of the traffic laws, the points system used in Maryland, and options available in reckless driving cases can be essential in these cases. Our attorneys will not only advocate for solutions that will minimize the effects of reckless driving charges, but we will work closely with clients to take as much guesswork and uncertainty out of these cases as possible. We will advise clients on how to prepare for court hearings and what to say to a judge, and we will be there to assist throughout an entire case as we fight for an outcome that will meet their needs.

What Counts as Reckless Driving in Maryland?

While people may use the term "reckless driving" to describe nearly any violation of traffic laws, the offense of reckless driving involves a certain level of recklessness. This offense may include actions that show that a person has disregarded the safety of others, knew that they were likely to put others at risk, and took dangerous actions anyway. Recklessness is more serious than a simple mistake or a brief moment of carelessness. A person may be charged with reckless driving based on accusations that they were aware of potential dangers but continued to act in an unsafe manner.

Penalties and Points for a Reckless Driving Conviction

When a person is convicted of reckless driving, they will likely face a fine that could be as high as $1,000. Some people who are convicted could be sentenced to jail for up to 60 days. A conviction will also add six points to their driving record. This is enough on its own to require a person to take an educational course instructing them on safe driving practices. However, if the total number of points on a person's record is between eight and 11, their driver's license will be suspended, and 12 points or more will lead to a license revocation.

Speeding Offenses That May Be Classified as Reckless Driving

Most of the time, a violation of the speed limit is considered to be a traffic violation. A person may be pulled over and issued a speeding ticket, which will result in a fine and points on their driving record. However, there are some situations where speeding may result in reckless driving charges. These may include when a person violates the speed limit in a way that allegedly puts others at risk of harm, such as by speeding in a school zone or road construction zone. When determining whether speeding may be considered reckless driving, a police officer may consider how fast the driver was going, the time of day, traffic, weather, nearby pedestrians, or other factors that affected people's safety.

Certain speeding offenses can lead to charges of reckless driving even if a person's actions did not put others at risk. A speed limit violation by 30 miles per hour or more is considered to be a reckless driving offense.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Hostile or confrontational driving is considered to be particularly dangerous. A person who engages in multiple violations within a short period of time may be accused of aggressive driving, or they could be charged with reckless driving based on actions that intentionally put others at risk. These may include:

• Cutting Someone Off on Purpose: A person may be accused of swerving in front of another vehicle or taking other actions to purposely block their path.
• Tailgating: When someone follows closely behind another driver, potentially preventing them from slowing down or stopping safely, they could be charged with reckless driving.
• Intimidation: A person who has allegedly chased another vehicle or taken other actions meant to frighten or intimidate a driver may face accusations of reckless driving.
• Using the Vehicle as a Weapon: When a person has allegedly steered toward a car, cyclist, or pedestrian in an effort to scare or hurt them, they may be arrested for reckless driving.

Reckless Driving Involving Accidents or Injuries

If a person has allegedly harmed someone else through dangerous behavior while behind the wheel, the penalties they may face can be more serious. In addition to the penalties that may apply for a reckless driving conviction, they may face additional charges related to assault. Depending on the situation, specific charges may include:

• Second-Degree Assault: An alleged attempt to frighten or strike someone with a vehicle could lead to second-degree misdemeanor charges with a potential sentence of 10 years in prison.
• First-Degree Assault: Intentionally causing a serious physical injury with a vehicle may lead to felony charges with a potential sentence of 25 years in prison.
• Criminally Negligent Manslaughter by Vehicle: If a person allegedly caused an accident in which someone was killed because they were driving recklessly, they could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
• Manslaughter by Vehicle: When a person allegedly caused a fatal accident because of gross negligence while driving, they could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Contact Our North Laurel, MD Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys

Charges of reckless driving can put you at risk of heavy fines, the loss of your driver's license, higher insurance premiums, and a possible jail sentence. Understanding how to defend against these charges can be crucial, and Law Offices of Mallon Snyder is here to help you do so. We will work to minimize the impact on your license, your wallet, and your freedom. Contact our North Laurel, Maryland reckless driving lawyers at 301-762-7500 to discuss your case in a free consultation.