Anyone charged with reckless driving needs to understand that a conviction may carry serious consequences. Although it is generally a misdemeanor offense and often carries no jail time if no other offense is associated with it, like DUI, there are consequences that can significantly affect one's daily life. Accordingly, you will need the skills of a criminal attorney or DUI attorney to protect your rights.

Reckless driving means operating a motor vehicle with a wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. It can include driving behavior such as swerving dangerously in and out of traffic lanes, traveling at speeds more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, or operating a motor vehicle even though the driver was aware that he or she was extremely intoxicated. Courts have considered someone to be driving recklessly even if they were driving at the posted speed limit if weather conditions like heavy fog or snow along with heavy traffic conditions made operating a motor vehicle at that speed extremely hazardous.

An experienced DUI or criminal lawyer can review the facts of your case and determine if your driving conduct fits the definition of reckless driving as defined in that state's motor vehicle code. For instance, you might be charged with reckless driving for merely speeding, driving without headlights, running a red light, being involved in an accident, or by merely being inattentive.

In such circumstances, a skilled attorney can challenge the charge and often get it dismissed or reduced to an infraction such as speeding that is not a criminal offense and would have less serious consequences for your insurance and driving record. If your driving behavior contained a combination of these seemingly innocuous offenses, however, a charge of reckless driving might be sustained in court.

Often, a driver charged with DUI is also charged with reckless driving, a separate offense. The prosecution does not have to prove that you used drugs or alcohol before driving and that these substances impaired your ability to drive in order to prove reckless driving. It may be a factor in determining your knowledge of the risk you took to drive while under the influence and disregarded it, however. Even if you are acquitted of DUI, you can still be found guilty of reckless driving.

A reckless driving conviction can result in a misdemeanor criminal record, revocation or suspension of one's driver's license, and a fine or jail time if the defendant had multiple offenses on his record or their driving conduct resulted in an injury to someone or property damage. If the driver was on parole or probation at the time, the conviction may result in a revocation of his or her parole and jail time may be imposed.

Protect yourself, your license, your rights and your sense of security and justice by hiring a criminal attorney who will advise you and ensure that your rights are protected during every step of your legal ordeal.