Although it may not seem like a big deal, receiving a ticket for reckless driving in New York can result in impactful consequences. It is a serious ticket that can result in large fines and even points on your driving record. It is not a mere traffic violation, but rather a misdemeanor crime. That is why it is so important to fight a reckless driving ticket when possible.
Consequences
Those who are convicted of first offense of reckless driving must pay a fine of up to $300 as well as a surcharge of $93. Even though it may not be a lot of money to pay for a reckless driving ticket, the money may just be the least of your worries.
Accumulating points on your driver’s license can also impact your auto insurance payments, raising monthly premiums by a significant amount. This is because they view these types of tickets as large risks. A first offense for reckless driving will result in 5 points on your driving record. Points can remain on your record for years.
You will also be left with a criminal record and could spend up to 30 days in jail for a first offense. The state of New York does not allow for expungements, so your criminal record will permanently remain. Since insurance companies generally tend to care more about a policyholder’s type of traffic violation than the number of points he or she receives, it will likely have a more severe effect than other 5-point offenses. Additionally, there is a possibility that your license could be revoked.
What Are My Options?
Aside from simply paying the ticket and dealing with very negative, ongoing consequences, you may also choose to fight the ticket. You could potentially win your case with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney, under which circumstances your ticket would be thrown out. Another possibility is that the police officer that issued the ticket does not show up to court, in which case your ticket will also be thrown out. However, it is more common that a ticket would be reduced to a speeding ticket rather than thrown out in its entirety. The good news is that speeding tickets are less serious, resulting in lower fines and fewer points on your record – if any. This may also help you to avoid some of the significant increases in your insurance premium.
The Lawyers at AutoTrafficTickets.com Help Those in New York Who Have Been Issued a Ticket for Reckless Driving
If you or a loved one has incurred a ticket for reckless driving, it is important that you act as quickly as possible in order to recall the specific details of the incident, which could help to establish a defense for your case. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, call the attorneys of AutoTrafficTickets.com today!
Posted in: Traffic Tickets