Frederick, MD Reckless Driving Defense Attorney

Lawyer for Criminal Charges Related to Car Accidents and Unsafe Driving in Frederick, Maryland

Reckless driving is a charge that can catch a person off guard. A person may believe that they are being charged with a traffic violation, and they may be surprised to learn that they are facing criminal charges. A driver who has never been charged with a crime before may be arrested, and they may face serious penalties if they are convicted of a misdemeanor offense. A reckless driving offense may lead to a permanent criminal record and other issues that can have an impact on a person's life going forward.

The attorney at Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can help people who have been charged with reckless driving understand the ways they may be affected by these charges and the options for defending against a conviction. He will fight to help a person protect their record and their license while avoiding penalties such as jail time and high fines. By providing guidance on how to proceed during every stage of a criminal case, he can help resolve these matters successfully.

Potential Reasons for Reckless Driving Charges

The criminal offense of reckless driving may involve any actions that are considered to show that a person did not care about other people's safety. Reckless driving is a criminal offense that carries penalties that are more severe than the fines or driver's license consequences that may apply following a traffic ticket. It may involve a wide variety of conduct, including:

• Excessive Speeding: A violation may go beyond a speed limit violation and be considered reckless driving if a person allegedly put someone else at risk. Driving at a high speed in a location where pedestrians were present, such as a school zone or a residential neighborhood, may be considered reckless driving. Regardless of the location, exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more can lead to reckless driving charges.
• Street Racing: Participating in a race on a public road or highway is considered to be a dangerous offense. Racing involves high speeds and unsafe behaviors that can lead to accidents. In response to these risks, people who are accused of participating in races may be charged with reckless driving.
• Aggressive Lane Changes: A person who weaves through traffic at a high speed may be accused of acting dangerously and putting other drivers at risk. Other behaviors that could lead to reckless driving charges may include cutting off other drivers, making sudden lane changes that force other drivers to brake sharply, or forcing other vehicles off the road.
• Tailgating at High Speeds: When following closely behind another vehicle, an accident may be unavoidable due to sudden slowdowns in traffic, changing traffic lights, or the need to brake to avoid an obstacle in the road. At high speeds, tailgating can lead to serious accidents, and drivers who engage in this behavior may be charged with reckless driving.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: When a person ignores traffic control devices, they may speed through an intersection where other vehicles are already present, putting people at risks of being injured in a T-bone accident. A person who does not obey a traffic signal and proceeds through an intersection after a light has changed may be arrested for reckless driving, or these charges may apply when a person blows through a stop sign without regard for other vehicles or pedestrians.
• Distracted Driving Leading to Serious Risk: Using a cell phone or engaging in other distracting behavior while driving at a high speed or in another situation that could lead to a dangerous accident may result in charges that are more serious than tickets for texting while driving. After an accident, a person could face reckless driving charges if they are accused of harming others because of distracted driving.
• Fleeing From Police: A person may be charged with fleeing and eluding if they do not stop when directed to do so by police or attempt to evade officers. A police chase may put other people at risk, so a person who attempts to flee may also face charges of reckless driving.

Defense Strategies in Reckless Driving Cases

In a reckless driving case, the prosecution will need to prove that a person engaged in behavior that went beyond carelessness and showed a disregard for the safety of others. Our lawyer can review the accusations against a person and the details surrounding an arrest to determine what strategies may be used to prevent a conviction. These may include:

Challenging the Officer's Observations

Reckless driving charges will often be based on claims by police officers that a person was engaging in dangerous behavior. Our attorney can look at factors such as the officer's vantage point and the road conditions at the time of the alleged offense to show that their observations were mistaken and that a person was not driving recklessly.

Disputing Speed Measurement Evidence

Where reckless driving charges are based on speeding, our lawyer may be able to challenge how a vehicle's speed was measured. Radar and laser speed detection equipment may not have been properly calibrated, or an officer may not have had the training or qualifications to operate these devices. Reviews of certification records and calibration logs may find information that can be used to challenge the evidence of speeding.

Reduction of Charges to Negligent Driving

Our attorney may argue that a person's conduct was not reckless and that they should not be convicted of a criminal offense. He may take steps to have charges reduced to negligent driving, which will prevent a person from having a conviction on their record, and he will work to minimize the penalties that a person may face.

Contact Our Frederick Reckless Driving Defense Lawyer

Because of the serious consequences of a reckless driving conviction, a strong defense is crucial in these cases. At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyer will work to have charges dismissed or reduced, allowing a person to put this situation behind them and avoid long-term penalties. He will provide the guidance needed to ensure that a person is ready to address any issues that may arise during a case, including taking the time to fully prepare a person for any court appearances that will be required. Contact our Frederick, MD reckless driving attorney at 301-762-7500 to arrange a free consultation.