Most of us living in Wisconsin are aware of the huge problem with reckless driving happening right now, particularly in Milwaukee County.
According to WISN 12, “Speed is now eclipsing drunken driving as a killer on our nation's highways and on streets in Milwaukee.”
We have been getting a lot of question from clients reading reckless driving and what exactly that means.
Reckless driving is a criminal offense in the state of Wisconsin. Anyone convicted of this crime may face fines or jail time. Some people will receive both.
The state of Wisconsin defines reckless driving as:
· Driving in a negligent way that endangers a person or property
· Driving in a negligent way and seriously injuring someone as a result
· Endangering someone while driving over railroad tracks or around a crossing gate
There is no formal list of driving behaviors that can result in a reckless driving charge. However, some examples of behaviors that typically result in reckless driving charges include:
· Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
· Texting while driving
· Distracted driving
· Street racing
· Driving at a high speed
· Failing to stop at stop signs or red lights
· Driving aggressively due to road rage
· Driving outside of traffic lanes
· Intentionally blocking the flow of traffic
Penalties for Reckless Driving
The punishment someone may face for a reckless driving conviction depends on how seriously they broke the law. Some violations can even result in felony charges. However, someone facing these charges may seek a more favorable outcome with the support of an experienced and talented reckless driving attorney. An attorney can help someone have their charges lowered or dropped. The penalties for reckless driving charges include:
· First Offense: Someone with their first reckless driving conviction could face between $25
and $200 in fines.
· Repeat Offenses: Someone with another reckless driving conviction within 4 years may
face a year-long jail sentence. They may face fines ranging from $50 to $500 as well.
· Offenses resulting in minor injuries: Someone convicted for reckless driving that caused
a minor injury to someone else could face between up to a year in jail. They could also face
fines between $300 and $2,000.
· Offenses resulting in great bodily harm: Someone charged with reckless driving that
resulted in life-threatening injuries to someone else may be convicted of a Class I felony.
Felony convictions are extremely serious. Class I felonies carry prison sentences up to 3
and a half years long. They also carry up to $10,000 in fines. The convicted party will also
lose their driving privileges for up to a year.
Reckless driving is a very serious problem and we are here to help answer any questions you may have.
Should you or a loved one find yourself charged with a crime involving reckless driving it is very important to contact an experienced attorney so you can discuss your rights and prepare the best available defense. At Jones Law Firm we can help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation. Please contact us by text or phone at (414) 775-7445 or email at laura@jlfwisconsin.com anytime.
*Any articles in the Libra or posted by Jones Law Firm LLC are not legal advice for a particular client or situation. Further no attorney-client relationship is intended or created with this post.*
