Las Vegas Reckless Driving Attorney
A person can be found guilty of reckless driving in Nevada if a prosecutor can show that the person drove a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or property. Actions which may make a police officer decide to charge reckless driving include speeding significantly over the speed limit, running multiple red lights, striking median dividers while driving, failing to obey an order from a police officer to pull over and stop a vehicle, or taking part in an illegal street race.
If you are exhibiting signs of road rage, you may also be pulled over and charged with reckless driving. The behaviors that define aggressive driving or road rage include tailgating, speeding, running stop signs and red lights, passing on the shoulder, cutting off other drivers, making obscene or improper gestures, and screaming, flashing the headlights, and honking the horn.
If you are facing reckless driving charges, your best bet is to contact a Las Vegas reckless driving attorney right away.
Street Racing and Reckless Driving
Street racing is a crime in Nevada. Unauthorized street racing is treated by law enforcement as reckless driving in Nevada. It’s illegal to take part in any kind of street racing on a public highway that wasn’t cleared by the proper authorities. In Nevada, simply organizing an unauthorized drag race is as illegal as driving in it. But if your attorney can raise a reasonable doubt that you participated in or planned a street race, the case can usually be dismissed. Eyewitnesses, surveillance video, and even phone records can be introduced as evidence in such cases.
Nevada reckless driving charges that arise from an illegal street race will cause the reckless driving suspect to face the risk of being ordered to complete community service, the suspension of driving privileges for up to two years, and the court ordered impounding of the vehicle that was driven. These penalties should not be taken lightly.
If you’re facing any serious traffic-related charge in the Las Vegas area – whether it’s speeding, reckless driving, or street racing – get legal help promptly. A conviction goes on your record and is likely to increase your insurance premiums. If you’re accused of speeding or street racing, contact an experienced Las Vegas traffic attorney immediately.
Charges and Penalties
In cases where no serious injury or death was reported, a person charged with reckless driving will most likely face misdemeanor reckless driving charges, which carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000 (for first time offenders), a fine up to $1,500 (for second time offenders), or a fine up to $2,000 (for third time offenders).
The offense will likely be charged as a felony if the incident results in another person’s injury or death, which would carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and fines up to $5,000. If a person is suspected of reckless driving that causes death, and the person disregards a police officer’s orders to stop a vehicle or attempts to evade a responding police officer, the suspect faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
All reckless driving convictions include a six-month driver’s license suspension and in some cases a two-year suspension. Depending on your record and the circumstances of your reckless driving case, you may also be sentenced to between 50 and 200 hours of mandatory community service.
Incidences of reckless driving which occur in designated work zones carry the risk of consequences up to double what they would be if the offense had been committed outside a work zone.
If you injured someone as a result of your reckless driving, you may also be sued in civil court. The victim may file a lawsuit against you in the hopes of getting compensation for their medical bills, loss of wages and pain and suffering. This means that when you are charged with reckless driving, not only do you have to worry about the outcome of a criminal case against you, but also a civil case if you injured someone else.
A reckless driving charge gives Nevada drivers a lot to think about and avoid. In the Las Vegas area, if you are cited for reckless driving, fight the charge, but don’t try to act as your own attorney. It’s too risky. A good traffic lawyer routinely handles reckless driving cases and knows what it takes to challenge a reckless driving charge. If you’re charged with driving recklessly, make the call to an experienced Las Vegas traffic lawyer as quickly as you can.
An Experienced Las Vegas Reckless Driving Attorney
The Fletcher Firm, a team of true legal professionals with years of experience representing those who have been charged with reckless driving, is the kind of law firm that Nevada suspects will want in their corners when they have to face charges of reckless driving. A legal team like the Fletcher Firm, which offers full service legal representation, will work diligently on behalf of suspects to argue the most complete and competent defense on the suspect’s behalf.
In Nevada, like all other jurisdictions in the United States, when a crime is punishable by the loss of freedom and liberty – which means punishable by a term in jail or prison – then the prosecutor pursuing charges must show that the offender conducted every element of the offense required by law.
What this means for reckless driving suspects is that the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the suspect willfully or wantonly operated a vehicle with no regard for the safety of others or property. If the prosecution can’t prove one or more elements of the offense, then the prosecution has failed to present a valid case against the suspect on the charge of reckless driving and the suspect can be acquitted. An Las Vegas reckless driving attorney from The Fletcher Firm is experienced enough to recognize nuances of an investigation that may allow reasonable doubt to be raised. Call today for a free consultation.
