Myrtle Beach Reckless Driving Lawyer

A reckless driving charge is more than just a speeding ticket. The consequences can include jail time and a suspended license if you do not carefully address it in court.

Our office offers consultations for reckless driving with dedicated driving offense lawyers. A Myrtle Beach reckless driving lawyer could represent you in court proceedings to resolve allegations with your best interests in mind.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is a violation of South Carolina Motor Vehicle Code § 56-5-2920 for the operation of a motor vehicle that exhibits a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. Several different driving acts could establish cause for a reckless driving charge, such as the following examples:

• Speeding
• Swerving in and out of traffic lanes
• Cutting off other drivers
• Racing
• Driving outside of traffic lanes
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Running stop signs and traffic lights

The definition of reckless driving is broad, which can give law enforcement considerable discretion when issuing a citation under your specific circumstances. This can also serve as an opportunity to dispute unfounded claims from law enforcement. A lawyer in Myrtle Beach could review the allegations of reckless driving for issues in the charge that could warrant dismissal or reduce it to a less serious traffic violation.

The Penalties for Reckless Driving

The conviction for reckless driving is a fine of up to $440 and a possible jail sentence of up to 30 days. A repeat offender charge for reckless driving can also apply if you have a prior conviction within five years of the most recent offense. The additional punishment for a repeat offender is an automatic three-month suspension of your driver’s license.

A conviction for reckless driving will also result in the accumulation of points on your driving record. The total number of points assigned for a traffic violation remains on record for a year before the DMV can reduce them by half. A first-time reckless driving offense can still result in a suspension through the state’s point system if you still have points on your record from previous driving infractions.

The potential penalties for reckless driving become even more severe when it causes the death of another person. The criminal charges can escalate to reckless vehicular homicide under South Carolina Motor Vehicle Code § 56-5-2910, which is a felony. The punishment is a fine ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and up to 10 years in prison. In Myrtle Beach, an attorney could assist with potential penalties in a reckless driving case.

How a Lawyer Could Help With a Reckless Driving Charge

The circumstances of your reckless driving charge, including your criminal driving record and resulting injury or damage to others, will significantly impact the outcome of the case. In Myrtle Beach, a reckless driving lawyer could help you understand how these issues in your case can affect outcomes in court. Mitigating circumstances may exist in some cases to explain the situation and seek leniency from the court. Judges have broad discretion in the decision to uphold reckless driving charges levied against you and in the severity of your penalties upon conviction. An experienced lawyer could identify the mitigating circumstances in your case and develop an approach to addressing your case in court to obtain the best outcome.

Contact Us in Myrtle Beach Today for a Reckless Driving Charge

To find a path forward after receiving a reckless driving citation, our lawyers at our firm could help. We understand that every reckless driving case is unique to the facts of your recent allegations, along with your driving record. We are here to guide you through every step of the legal process efficiently and confidently. Call South Carolina Criminal Law today to meet with a Myrtle Beach reckless driving lawyer.