Reckless driving charges in Las Vegas can come with heavy penalties and severe disruptions to your life. At De Castroverde Law Group, our Las Vegas traffic defense lawyers believe a strategic legal defense can make all the difference. Our attorneys have spent over 30 years representing people in Las Vegas, and we handle every case with attention to detail and commitment to our clients. We offer personalized legal guidance at every step of your case.
Whether it’s negotiating for lesser penalties or fighting for a dismissal, we stand by your side. Contact us today to learn how our approach to defending reckless driving charges can benefit you.
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What Is Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is a crime with potentially life-altering penalties. Reckless driving goes beyond negligent driving because it involves the “willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property,” according to NRS § 484B.653.
Generally speaking, reckless driving occurs when someone operates a vehicle while blatantly disregarding other people’s safety or their property. This can include actions like speeding excessively, weaving through traffic, or ignoring traffic signs and signals. Being convicted of reckless driving can lead to significant penalties, including fines, driver’s license suspensions, and even jail time, depending on the severity of the incident and the offender’s previous driving record. It’s crucial to take these charges seriously and work with a knowledgeable attorney if you are accused of reckless driving.
What Are Reckless Driving Charges?
Reckless driving charges allege that a motorist was operating their vehicle in an extremely hazardous way that put people and property in danger or caused injuries, death, or property damages. For example, going 5 to 10 mph above the posted speed limit is negligent, a legal term meaning careless given the circumstances. Going 30+ mph above the speed limit is reckless, especially in areas where pedestrians are often present.
A misdemeanor reckless driving charge in Nevada can carry a penalty of $250 to $1,000 in fines, up to six months in jail, and eight demerit points against your driver’s license. According to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), 12 demerit points in 12 months will result in a mandatory six-month suspension of your license.
If you caused substantial bodily harm while driving recklessly, the punishments increase to $2,000 and $5,000 in fines and one to six years in jail. Subsequent reckless driving offenses will also increase the penalties you may face.
Charges for offenses related to reckless driving include:
- Evading law enforcement – Reckless driving while eluding the police carries a fine of up to $5,000 and a sentence of one to six years in prison. If you injure someone while evading police, the punishment increases to a fine of up to $50,000 and two to 20 years in prison.
- DUI – The penalty for a first-time misdemeanor DUI offense is $400 to $1,000 in fines, up to two days in jail, or 48 hours of community service. You could also get your license suspended for up to 185 days. Subsequent misdemeanor DUIs or felony DUIs carry stricter punishments. In addition, if you injure or kill someone while driving under the influence, you could face anywhere from two years to life in prison if you have prior DUI charges.
Unauthorized Speed or Trick Driving
- First Offense: Penalties include a fine of $250 to $1,000, 50 to 99 hours of community service, and possible jail time up to six months.
- Second Offense: Increased to a fine of $1,000 to $1,500, 100 to 199 hours of community service, and possible jail time up to six months.
- Third and Subsequent Offenses: The punishment escalates to a fine of $1,500 to $2,000, 200 hours of community service, and jail time up to six months.
License Suspension and Vehicle Impoundment
Nevada’s reckless driving law requires the courts to suspend an offender’s driver’s license for six months to two years, depending on the facts of the offense. For repeated offenses, the state can seize the offender’s vehicle for up to 30 days.
Felony Reckless Driving
If someone’s reckless driving results in death or substantial bodily harm, the charge escalates to a Category B felony. This carries a prison sentence of one to six years and fines between $2,000 and $5,000.
Defense Strategies in Reckless Driving Cases
In defending against reckless driving charges, it is crucial to develop a compelling legal strategy tailored to the specifics of the case. Here are some potential defense strategies in reckless driving cases:
- Mistake of Fact: This defense involves arguing that the accused had a reasonable belief that their actions were not reckless. For example, if a driver believed they were driving within the speed limit because of a recently changed speed sign they were unaware of, this could be a valid defense.
- Necessity: For this strategy, the driver argues their actions were justified due to an emergency. For instance, swerving dangerously might be justified to avoid a severe accident or hitting an obstacle in the road.
- Lack of Evidence: Often, reckless driving charges depend heavily on the observations of a law enforcement officer or witness. Challenging the accuracy or credibility of these observations can be a powerful defense.
- Improper Conduct of Law Enforcement: If the traffic stop or the officer’s behavior during the arrest was unlawful, this could lead to a dismissal of the charges. For example, if the officer lacked a valid reason for the initial traffic stop, a driver could argue that the charges should not stand
How Can Our Reckless Driving Lawyers Help You?
At De Castroverde Law Group Criminal & Immigration, we know what is at stake for our clients. Our team thoroughly understands Nevada criminal law and has the legal skills and resources to defend your rights. We can:
- Review and explain the charges against you
- Collect reckless driving case evidence, including police reports, surveillance video, and eyewitness statements.
- Negotiate to have your charges dismissed or reduced
- Help you get released on bail
- Prepare your case for a judge or jury
- Represent you at trial if necessary
- Keep you informed with frequent and timely updates
- Provide you with 24/7 support
Contact De Castroverde Law Group Criminal & Immigration About Your Reckless Driving Case
Our award-winning law firm has a proven track record of successfully defending clients against serious criminal charges. If you face reckless driving penalties in Nevada, our Las Vegas reckless driving defense lawyers can stand up on your behalf. We have over 12 decades of combined experience we can use to represent you.
Contact us today for a consultation to learn more about how De Castroverde Law Group Criminal & Immigration can fight for you.