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What is Considered Reckless Driving in Wisconsin and How Will It Affect Me?
Wisconsin law prohibits drivers from endangering the safety of others or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle. The reckless driving law is written broadly, and numerous types of driving behavior may result in reckless driving charges for a driver.
Reckless driving can impact your ability to keep your driver’s license. Therefore, if you have been charged with reckless driving and are concerned about your charges, a skilled criminal defense attorney can help you understand the consequences you may face and will work with you to build an effective defense.
Examples of Reckless Driving
Wisconsin reckless driving charges are often made in cases in which bodily injury has resulted. However, bodily injury is not required. Reckless driving also includes the following:
- Excessive speeding;
- Racing, joyriding, or performing tricks;
- Running lights at intersections;
- Blocking the normal flow of traffic;
- Driving outside of lanes of traffic; and
- Displaying aggressive driving or road rage.
Reckless Driving Punishment
Typically, reckless driving convictions carry the following penalties:
- First offense – $25 to $200 fine
- Repeated offense within a four-year period – $50 to $500 in fines and up to a year in prison
- Reckless driving that leads to minor injury – $300 to $2,000 in fines and up to 30 days in prison
- Reckless driving that leads to great bodily injury – Up to 3.5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines
A conviction for reckless driving adds six points to a driver’s record. A driver’s license will be suspended if 12 or more points are accumulated in a year.
Possible Outcomes for Reckless Driving Charges
With the assistance of a skilled attorney, a driver who is facing reckless driving charges may be able to negotiate a lighter punishment with a prosecutor in exchange for pleading guilty to a lesser charge or attending a driver’s safety class. Moreover, depending on the facts of the case, an attorney could argue that the charges should be dropped altogether.
However, when a driver is charged with a more serious offense, like OWI, he or she may plead guilty to reckless driving after reaching a deal with the state.
While such agreements may be acceptable in some cases, our attorneys understand that various jobs require a clean driving record. Therefore, in cases such as these, our attorneys will work hard to resolve your case so that your job is not impacted.
Contact a Milwaukee, WI, Reckless Driving Charges Lawyer
Most reckless driving cases will not result in jail time. Therefore, if you want an attorney to fight for you in court, you must retain private counsel. Call the qualified Milwaukee reckless driving charges attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP at 414-271-1440 to have your case evaluated by one of our attorneys.
Sources:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346/X/61
http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/point-system.aspx
