Reckless Driving Defense Lawyer In Scranton
It is common for reckless driving to be included in a standard list of traffic offenses and violations. But this is an offense unlike rolling through a stop sign or driving a little above the speed limit. Under Pennsylvania law, a reckless driver is defined as someone “who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” (§ 3736(a)).
If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, you can’t afford to treat the offense like a standard traffic ticket. Instead, contest the charges with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney in Lackawanna County like William D. Thompson, founder of Thompson Law. He will utilize over two decades of criminal defense experience to protect your driving record, your license and your freedom.
What’s At Stake With A Reckless Driving Charge
If convicted of reckless driving, you are risking at least a $200 fine, but that’s just the beginning. You could also be facing a license suspension of six months, which would like impact your ability to get to work or school and to take care of your family.
If someone is injured as a result of your reckless driving, you face a minimum fine of $1,000 and at least 90 days in jail. If the incident results in another person’s death, you are facing at least a year in jail and $25,000 in fines. You could also face additional charges of vehicular manslaughter.
You May Have More Defense Options Than You Realize
Pennsylvania law doesn’t specify which driving behaviors count as reckless driving. Instead, it is a judgment call on the part of police officers and prosecutors. These individuals must also prove your intent, or state of mind, when violating traffic laws. This is not easy, because they are essentially offering their opinion on what your motives and intentions were. An experienced attorney like Mr. Thompson can discredit these allegations as speculation and work to tell your side of the story.
The bottom line is simple: you should not plead guilty or decide you are out of options before discussing your case with a skilled defense attorney.
Get Started With A Free Initial Consultation
Thompson Law is based in Scranton and serves clients throughout Lackawanna County. The firm offers free initial consultations so that you can discuss your charges and learn how attorney Thompson can help. To get started, contact the firm online or call 570-846-2819 today.