Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is operating a motor vehicle in a dangerous and negligent manner. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor criminal offense which can result in fines, jail time and suspension of a driver's license, but it can result in lesser penalties than a drunken driving conviction. For this reason many drivers will attempt to have their DUI charges reduced to a reckless driving charge.

Because DUI is a politically charged crime and advocacy groups and the general public do not like to see DUI cases dismissed, it is much more likely that your DUI case will end in a plea agreement rather than go to trial. The most common plea for drivers charged with DUI is to plea to reckless driving.

If driver's defense attorney is able to plead the case to reckless driving, the driver's record will show the DUI charges were dismissed because they pled to the reckless driving traffic charge. Consider also, a reckless driving charge carries no mandatory driver's license suspension, allowing many drivers to avoid a one year license suspension if they are convicted of DUI. Not all DUI charges can be pled down to reckless driving; talk to your DUI lawyer for more information about your options after a drunken driving charge.