Daytona Beach Reckless Driving Attorney - Careless Driving Florida Ticket Penalties Careless Driving Law

Daytona Beach Reckless Driving Attorney

A Daytona Beach reckless driving ticket is not your ordinary citation that can be paid at the clerk of court. Reckless driving is a criminal traffic infraction classified as a second degree misdemeanor. A reckless driving charge is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, 6 months of probation, 4 points on your license, cost of prosecution, cost of investigation, 4 hour driver improvement class and a $500 fine plus court cost. This makes reckless driving a hybrid misdemeanor because the 90 days jail exceeds the maximum sentence for a second degree misdemeanor which is 60 days. DUI is another example of a hybrid second degree misdemeanor. If the judge believes alcohol contributed to the reckless driving they can require the accused to complete a DUI class. If the driver does not complete the class their driver’s license will be suspended. If the driver has a prior reckless driving conviction they can be sentenced to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine plus court cost. Being convicted of a Daytona Beach reckless driving also prevents the accused from ever sealing or expunging their record. That means a criminal record for the rest of your life. Fortunately reckless driving cases have defenses. The state must prove that the driving endangered person or property and that the bad driving was willful. Negligence is sufficient for careless driving but not for the criminal charge of reckless driving in Daytona Beach. Speeding alone is not reckless driving if the driver does not endanger person or property. Swerving without endangering others has been considered insufficient for a reckless driving conviction. If you are accused of reckless driving call Daytona Beach reckless driving attorney Kevin J. Pitts at 386-451-5112 to set up a free consultation.