NY VTL 1212: reckless driving

Reckless driving is one of the most serious charges that can arise from driving a car. It is a misdemeanor, which makes it a crime, and can carry jail time in addition to fines starting at $300, five points on the license of an offender found guilty, and other consequences such as higher insurance premiums.

No one should face a reckless driving charge without an attorney.

Making matters worse, when an officer cites a driver under VTL § 1212, it’s probably not the only ticket written that day. Court decisions have found that “the presence of additional aggravating acts or circumstances beyond a single violation of a rule of the road” is necessary for a reckless driving charge to be warranted. A lone speeding ticket is probably not enough on its own, but if people are endangered, or the driving in some way interferes with the use of the road, a reckless driving charge might be layered on top.

You need an attorney to fight a reckless driving charge, because the consequences are serious and the law is complex. Simple errors in the ticket, such as the year of the car involved, aren’t going to be enough to get one of these charges dismissed. I review each case carefully, to see if the arresting officer met the legal standard that’s been established through case law. No prosecutor is going to help a defendant find the weaknesses in the case, and judges are strictly forbidden from offering legal advice. As your attorney, I will work tirelessly to take the wind out of the prosecutor’s sails, until I can secure a dismissal or negotiate a settlement that will keep this serious charge off your record.

Contact me for a free consultation on your reckless driving ticket.