Source: http://www.husseinandwebber.com/crimes/traffic-crimes/reckless-driving/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 20:07:17+00:00

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In Florida, Reckless Driving is the operation a motor vehicle in a manner demonstrating a willful or wanton disregard for safety. As a criminal offense, Reckless Driving may carry misdemeanor or felony penalties, depending on whether the incident resulted in serious bodily injury.
The term ‘willful’ means intentionally, knowingly, and purposely. ‘Wanton’ means that the accused drove the vehicle with a conscious and intentional indifference to consequences and with knowledge that damage was likely to be done to persons or property. Fleeing a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle is reckless driving per se. Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim) 28.5.
As indicated in the statute, neither carelessness nor ordinary negligence in the operation of a vehicle are sufficient to support a conviction for reckless driving. State v. Lebron, 954 So. 2d 52 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007); D.E. v. State, 904 So. 2d 558 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005).
The defendant’s actions must be knowing and purposeful, or carried out with a conscious and intentional indifference to consequences and while knowing that harm was likely to be done to persons or property. W.E.B. v. State, 553 So. 2d 323, 325-26 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989).
Determining whether a defendant’s actions amount to recklessness is a fact intensive, ad hoc inquiry. D.E. v. State, 904 So. 2d 558 at 562. The analysis is on the defendant’s actions, the surrounding circumstances, and the foreseeability that death, bodily harm, or property damage could result. Id.
Serious Bodily Injury- 3rd degree felony, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison or 5 years probation, and a $5,000 fine.
A conviction for Reckless Driving generally cannot be based on evidence of excessive speed alone. Luzardo v. State, 147 So. 3d 1083, 1085 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014); Hamilton v. State, 439 So. 2d 238 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983).
Thus, where testimony at trial merely establishes that a defendant was travelling 60 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour speed zone, and then slammed on his brakes before striking another vehicle, the prosecution fails to establish reckless driving. House v. State, 831 So. 2d 1230 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002).
Notwithstanding this general rule, at least two appellate courts in Florida have suggested “grossly excessive” speeding may alone be sufficient for a conviction. See Rubinger v. State, 98 So. 3d 659, 662 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012) (reserving future cases for consideration where speed is ‘grossly excessive’); Luzardo, 147 So. 3d at 1089 (commenting that a speed of 120 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone might alone be sufficient for a conviction).
Hamilton v. State, 439 So. 2d at 238-39; State v. Gensler, 929 So. 2d 27 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006).
Evidence indicating mere careless or negligent driving is insufficient to sustain a reckless driving conviction. McCreary v. State, 371 So. 2d 1024 (Fla., 1979). The actions of the defendant must be willful or wanton in nature.
Numerous other Florida appellate decisions illustrate the distinction between reckless and careless or negligent driving.
W.E.B. v. State, 553 So. 2d 323 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989) (finding evidence of reckless driving insufficient where the defendant had drank alcohol, was speeding, and went off of the road as a result of overcorrecting his turn).
If you have been arrested or issued a citation for Reckless Driving, contact Hussein & Webber, PL for a free consultation. Our attorneys handle cases throughout Jacksonville, Orlando, and the surrounding counties of northeast and central Florida.

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