Montgomery County Reckless Driving Lawyer
Reckless driving is when a person willfully or wantonly disregards the safety of others or the safety of other people’s property. This offense calls for intentional or purposefully conduct. The core of this allegation is the driver was indifferent to the consequences of their own actions while they are driving.
If you have been charged with reckless driving, reach out to a seasoned traffic defense attorney today. A dedicated Montgomery County reckless driving lawyer could advocate for you and help you understand your legal options.
Proving Reckless Driving Offenses
To elements that need to be proven against someone for reckless driving is that the defendant was actually operating the vehicle and was doing so in a willful or wanton state of mind. That means that someone is intentionally knowingly or purposefully being indifferent towards the consequence of their actions. The prosecution has to prove someone’s mental state of mind that they are intending to be reckless when they are driving. A skilled reckless driving lawyer in Montgomery County could fight against the prosecutor’s allegations and build a strong defense.
What Do Officers Look for When Pulling Someone Over for Reckless Driving?
Officers are looking for evidence of a certain mental state of intentional recklessness. This would be beyond mere careless driving where someone might make a simple traffic mistake and be pulled over for it. The officers are looking for a combination of offenses and anything they see as a disregard for another person’s safety or their property is in danger, such as turning right through an intersection of people walking, or any instance where people are actually in danger or there is a clear danger to the property or other vehicles.
Common Factors Regarding Reckless Driving in Montgomery County
Reckless driving is a common charge that the police will cite people for by itself or in combination with other charges such as speeding. Officers may also use this charge as a general placeholder for actions they find to be egregious driving misconduct such as texting while driving. The common scenarios in a reckless driving case will include a combination of offenses such as speeding and tailgating or high speeding and lane changing without signals.
Reckless Driving Penalties
When facing a reckless driving charge, the defendant should expect that the prosecution will be trying to prove a certain element of their mental state. This means there will be a combination of what the police officers observed, circumstantial evidence, and also any statements they may have made to the officer about what they were doing and why. If they are convicted, the defendant can expect to receive points on their license and a $200 fine. All of this will also lead to a license suspension for six months if convicted. When facing penalties, the defendant may want to obtain a reckless driving attorney in Montgomery County who could help.
How a Montgomery County Reckless Driving Attorney Could Help
In Montgomery County, a lawyer could help with the charge of reckless driving by evaluating the circumstantial evidence in the case and challenging whether it will be enough evidence to prove someone was intentionally doing this conduct. This is a charge that alleges someone intentionally disregarded the safety of others. Unless there is a direct statement that they purposely were driving this way and did not care about other people, the prosecution will have to try to prove it with other circumstantial evidence. A lawyer can help look at that evidence, challenge it or present the defendant’s own evidence such as exigent circumstances or emergency that required a sudden safety maneuver. Additionally appearing on the defendant’s behalf, a Montgomery County reckless driving lawyer could aid in negotiating a resolution that does not end in receiving a six-month license suspension.