What to Expect From Reckless Driving Charges in Columbia

The process of a reckless driving case depends on whether it was from a traffic stop or from a traffic accident. That would all depend on the kind of the procedure. Regardless, a person has been charged with driving in a willful disregard for the safety of others, driving dangerously and someone can expect that this is serious. They should seek help from a diligent reckless driving lawyer for guidance in defending their case. The lawyer could give the strengths and weaknesses of the case, and hopefully lay out a strategic plan on how to defend the case.

Reach out to a tenacious attorney to learn about what to expect from reckless driving charges in Columbia.

The Prosecution’s Case

Columbia prosecutors and judges treat reckless driving cases seriously, but more often than not, jail time is not involved. It is generally not an offense where somebody gets to jail, but they do pay significant fines. There is a hit with their insurance. Some insurance companies will drop a person from coverage if they get a reckless driving charge or conviction. There are a lot of collateral consequences that can come through, but those prosecutors and judges are not asking for jail time in these cases. They are asking for the fine, and if they do not pay their fine, that could lead to jail time.

Penalties for Reckless Driving in Columbia

For reckless driving, the person will be facing up to 30 days in jail. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and anything from $25 up to $200, so they could give jail time and a fine if they wanted. The judge could impose both if they wished, and there are graduating penalties if they have multiple offenses for reckless driving. The punishment can be worse in that their driver’s license is suspended.

Paying The Fine

A reckless driving ticket can be paid ahead of time, but it is not recommended. A person should get to a lawyer to look at their case to see whether it is worth fighting. Reckless driving technically carries up to 30 days in jail, but for the most part, the person will be required to appear in court. The likelihood that they do not have to appear in court is virtually nonexistent. Although the ticket could most likely be paid ahead of time, people do have to show up to court for reckless driving.

How a Reckless Driving Attorney Could Help

The role of an attorney in a reckless driving case is to not only to get all the evidence and reveal it but to try to build a plan on how to attack the charge itself. They must prove that someone was not willful or wanton or being dangerous. There was a reason that they were driving that way, and the lawyer has to offer the best defense possible to try to get the best result possible.

The attorney must be candid with the defendant and offer the best-case and worst-case scenario. They must then let the client make the decision as far as the next step. It is important to work with a reckless driving attorney because they are going to know the police officers, prosecutors, and judges. They are going to know if the prosecutor is more aggressive or lenient in the case, or if there are certain facts that individual prosecutors do not like or have issues with. They are dealing with somebody that they negotiated with plenty of other cases on and hopefully their reputation can be used to leverage the best result possible in the case.

You should not try to handle the legal aspects of your case alone. Let a knowledgeable reckless driving attorney help. Call today to learn about what to expect from reckless driving charges in Columbia.