Aspen Hill Reckless Driving Lawyer

Attorney for Traffic Offenses Involving Reckless or Dangerous Behavior in Aspen Hill

In some cases, a traffic stop can turn into something much worse than a speeding ticket or another traffic violation. If you are accused of driving in a way that put others at risk of harm because you willfully ignored the proper safety practices, you could be arrested and charged with reckless driving. This is not a minor infraction; it is a criminal offense, and a conviction can lead to consequences that go beyond a fine and points on your license.

When defending against reckless driving charges in Aspen Hill or the surrounding areas, it is important to have legal representation. The attorney at Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can advocate on your behalf and make sure you take the right steps to resolve your case while avoiding serious penalties that could affect your life and your future. By providing clear guidance, making sure you are prepared to appear in court and answer questions, and working to resolve your case without a criminal conviction, our lawyer can help you achieve the best possible outcome to your situation.

Reckless Driving Charges in Maryland

Charges of reckless driving go beyond simple traffic violations. These charges may be based on accusations that a person showed a willful disregard for other people's safety while they were driving a vehicle on a road or highway. Reckless driving involves conduct that is more dangerous than ordinary negligence or simple moving violations. A prosecutor will need to show that a person was aware of the risks of their behavior and continued to drive unsafely.

When Can a Person Be Charged With Reckless Driving?

There are many reasons why a person may be accused of reckless driving, and charges may apply regardless of whether an accident took place or anyone was injured. Some of the most common reasons for reckless driving arrests include:

Excessive Speeding

Most of the time, violations of the speed limit will result in traffic tickets rather than reckless driving charges. However, driving at a dangerous speed in a residential area, a school zone, or another situation where a person's actions could lead to an accident and serious injuries, may lead to charges of reckless driving. Under Maryland law, reckless driving charges may also apply if a person exceeded the speed limit by 30 miles per hour.

Distracted Driving

A person who is accused of texting while driving, making calls while using a handheld phone, or other types of distracted driving will usually be charged with a traffic violation rather than a criminal offense. However, reckless driving charges may apply if distracted driving involved especially dangerous behavior, such as texting and driving while traveling at a high speed on a highway. A person who is accused of causing a car crash because of distracted driving may face reckless driving charges.

Aggressive and Dangerous Driving

A person who engages in conduct that could put others at risk of injuries in a car accident may be arrested for reckless driving. This may include weaving aggressively between lanes, tailgating behind another vehicle while traveling at a high speed, running a red light when other vehicles are in an intersection, or purposely cutting off other vehicles. Road rage incidents or other situations where drivers behave aggressively may lead to reckless driving charges.

Passing a Stopped School Bus

When a school bus stops to load or unload children, its red lights will flash, indicating that other vehicles must stop and are prohibited from passing. A person who passes a school bus illegally may face a traffic violation, but if they cause an accident or put children at risk, they may also face reckless driving charges.

Driving an Unsafe Vehicle

A person who owns a vehicle is required to ensure that it is operating safely, including performing regular maintenance and ensuring that brake pads and tires are replaced when they become worn. A person may face reckless driving charges if they knew that their vehicle had safety issues and did not take the proper steps to perform maintenance or repairs. These charges may arise after accidents that were allegedly caused by vehicle defects.

Why Reckless Driving Is More Serious Than a Traffic Ticket

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor criminal offense. A person who is convicted of reckless driving will face multiple types of serious penalties that go beyond the fines and points that may apply for typical traffic tickets. A conviction will lead to a permanent criminal record, and employers, landlords, licensing boards, and others who conduct background checks may see that a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor. This can have an impact on a person's career and other parts of their life.

The penalties for reckless driving may include a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. When reckless driving has allegedly resulted in an accident that caused someone to suffer a serious injury, a person may face additional criminal charges and more serious penalties.

For commercial drivers, the stakes of reckless driving cases can be even higher. Reckless driving is classified as a serious traffic violation. Two convictions for serious violations within three years can result in a 60-day disqualification of a person's commercial driver's license. Three violations within three years can lead to a 120-day disqualification.

Contact Our Aspen Hill, Maryland Reckless Driving Attorney

Reckless driving charges should be taken seriously. With help from the attorney at Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, you can take steps to defend against a conviction. He will help you determine the best strategies to have the charges dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense like negligent driving. By taking steps to avoid a criminal record and other penalties, you can minimize the ways your life may be affected by these charges. Contact our Aspen Hill reckless driving defense lawyer at 301-762-7500 and schedule your free consultation today.