Typical Reckless Driving Misdemeanors

Reckless driving can result in major fines and penalties. However, unlike most laws, New Jersey does not have a definite or specific definition to what constitutes reckless driving. The reason is that reckless driving deals more with a person’s actions in conjunction with their mental state. Reckless driving is generally defined as an intentional disregard for the safety of others, or their property, while showing an overall disregard for the rules of the road. The most common type of reckless driving is associated with excessive speeding.

New Jersey Reckless Driving Penalties

New Jersey penalty for reckless driving are relatively mild compared to those associated with a conviction of drunk driving, but they are still serious. Under N.J.S.A 39:4-96, if you are found guilty of reckless driving, you can face the following penalties:

• 5 points on your driving record
• Up to 60 days in jail
• Fines ranging between $50 to $200 for a first conviction
• Suspension of your driver’s license from one to 90 days, if the judge deems you a road hazard
• For a second conviction, jail time increases to a maximum of 3 months and the fines increase to between $100 and $500, with a possible license suspension up to 6 months

Fighting a Reckless Driving Charge

If you have been charged with a reckless driving offense, it is important to hire an experienced New Jersey traffic ticket attorney to fight the charges and avoid the penalties and repercussions. Depending on the specific facts of your case, you may have various defense options to fight the charges.

A skilled attorney will first investigate the facts surrounding the traffic stop and resulting violations issued. The goal is to find possible police errors in protocol or violations of your rights that may be used to achieve an outright dismissal. In absence of any major defense, another option is to negotiate with the prosecutor to have the reckless driving charge reduced to a lesser offense, such as careless driving or unsafe driving.

The bottom line is that you need to take immediate action to deal with your traffic violation to avoid major consequences and impacts on your driving record and life (especially to avoid the suspension of your drivers license).

Call a New Jersey Traffic Ticket Attorney Today

If you or someone you know was cited with a traffic violation, including but not limited to reckless driving, an experienced attorney can help fight the ticket and avoid the negative consequences. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-355-7100 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.

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