Source: https://recklessdrivingny.com/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 16:22:36+00:00

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If you have been charged with reckless driving in New York, you are facing serious legal and financial consequences. This is no mere traffic violation. In New York, reckless driving is a misdemeanor, which is a crime.
This means that if you are convicted of reckless driving you will have a criminal record. It also means you could spend up to 30 days in jail for a first offense. Making matters worse, New York does NOT allow for expungements. Your criminal record is permanent. As if this weren’t enough, pursuant to NY VTL § 510-2(iv), your license may be revoked.
The financial consequences are harsh and far-reaching. A first offense reckless driving conviction carries a maximum $300 fine plus a $93 surcharge fee and will result in 5 points on your driving record.
Beyond the fines there are other, long-term financial consequences. Since insurance companies care more about the type of traffic violation you’re charged with than the number of points the violation carries, a reckless driving conviction will likely lead to a higher increase in your insurance rate than would other 5-point offenses.
If you have questions call the Rosenblum Law Firm at 888-979-7551 for a free consult.
In fact, reckless driving convictions raise insurance rates higher than most other traffic-related offenses. According to www.insurancequotes.com, your insurance rate may increase by as much as 42% as a result of your reckless driving conviction.
The below table lists all fines, points, and potential jail time associated with a reckless driving conviction.
*Note that the $93 surcharge fee is added to the above fines for each offense. Also note that, to incur the penalties listed for the 2nd and 3rd offenses, the violations must occur within 18 months of one another.
For commercial license drivers (CDL), reckless driving is considered a “serious traffic violation.” If you hold a CDL and are convicted of two serious traffic violations within a three year period, your CDL will be suspended for 60 days; and if convicted of three serious traffic violations within the same period the suspension will be for 120 days.
2) Drive in a manner that unreasonably endangers users of the public highway.
In simplified terms, the statute prohibits you from unreasonably getting in the way of, or endangering, other drivers on a public highway.
The word “or” is important here. It means a driver need only be shown to have done either one – unreasonably get in the way of OR endanger other passengers, not both.
In a famous case analyzing the statute, People v Grogan (260 NY 138 ), the New York Court of Appeals held that the People would have to provide “evidence showing something more than mere negligence” to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant has committed reckless driving.
Does that clear things up? Probably not.
Then let’s look at the legal definition of the word “reckless” and reexamine the statute with it in mind.
A person acts recklessly with respect to a result or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense when he is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists. The risk must be of such nature and degree that disregard thereof constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe.
So when the Grogan Court said that a defendant must show “reckless disregard of the consequences” of his driving, it meant that he had to be aware that his driving was very risky and that the risk was unjustifiable (in other words, there was no emergency), and then had to disregard that risk and whatever consequences that might follow from it.
Moreover, the risk itself has to be bad enough that someone with common sense (or a “reasonable person”) would not disregard it; someone who does disregard such a risk, then, would be way outside the norm in terms of his behavior and mind state.
Driving in a way that shows you don’t care about getting in people’s way or endangering them, without any valid excuse, and knowing just how risky your driving is, which is to say, very risky.
Although better, this definition still doesn’t tell us what kind of specific driving behaviors might lead to a Reckless Driving charge. And this is the problem with this criminal offense: it is very broad. In many ways it seems as though Reckless Driving is a kind of “catch all,” leaving police and judges with great discretion in defining it specifically on a case by case basis.
The best way to know what specifically constitutes Reckless Driving, then, is to examine past cases in which defendants were found guilty of it, as well as cases in which defendants were found not guilty, so that we can see the difference.
People v. Armlin, 6 N.Y.2d 231, 233, 189 N.Y.S.2d 179, 160 N.E.2d 478 (1959) – Allegations that the defendant drove his car across the center line into the path of an oncoming car at a high rate of speed and crashed into that car were sufficient to permit an inference that the defendant’s operation of vehicle unreasonably interfered with the free and proper use of the highway and unreasonably endangered other drivers.
People v. Bohacek, 95 A.D.3d 1592, 945 N.Y.S.2d 460 (3d Dept. 2012) – Evidence that the defendant recklessly disregarded the consequences of his actions by ingesting drugs, failing to keep right and driving her vehicle across the center line of the highway and colliding head-on with a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction was sufficient to support her conviction of reckless driving.
People v. Bulgin, 29 Misc.3d 286, 908 N.Y.S.2d 817 (Sup. Ct. Bronx County 2010) – Officer lacked probable cause to arrest motorist for misdemeanor of reckless driving because there was no evidence that any pedestrians or other drivers were affected in any way, where motorist was driving five to fifteen miles per hour above the speed limit and failed to stop at one stop sign and two steady red lights and there was no evidence that defendant knew the officer was trying to pull him over despite his lights and sirens being on for a two minute pursuit.
People v. Khurshudyan, 34 Misc.3d 152(A), 951 N.Y.S.2d 88 (Table) (N.Y.Sup. App.Term 2012) – Although the officer’s testimony may have established that defendant committed multiple traffic infractions, there was insufficient evidence that defendant’s operation of his vehicle “unreasonably interfere[d]” with anyone’s use of the oncoming lane or the lane from which he left and returned, or that he thereby “unreasonably endangere[d]” anyone or anyone’s property.
The underlying theme here seems to be that, as the Appellate Court noted in People v. Goldblatt, 98 AD 3d 817 – NY: Appellate Div., 3rd Dept. 2012, “the presence of additional aggravating acts or circumstances beyond a single violation of a rule of the road” is necessary to violate New York’s Reckless Driving statute.
That should clear things up a bit. But there is one thing we have not yet addressed.
The statute states that Reckless Driving must occur on a “public highway.” When we think of a highway, we tend to think of long stretches of road that usually have posted speed limits of 55 mph or above. But, as is so often the case, the legal meaning of a word or phrase is vastly different from its common meaning.
Vehicle and Traffic Law § 134 defines “public highway” as “[a]ny highway, road, street, avenue, alley, public place, public driveway or any other public way,” which includes sidewalks (see, People v Miller, 206 Misc 1085 [Nassau County Ct 1954]).
So you can be charged with Reckless driving almost anywhere you drive.
Now that you know what Reckless driving is and the consequences of being convicted of Reckless driving, the question is – if charged with Reckless driving, what can you do about it?
Not surprisingly, we suggest you hire an attorney. But this is not just because that’s what we do for a living. As noted above, Reckless driving is a serious charge; the consequences of being found guilty of Reckless driving are severe, including jail time and a criminal record, in addition to five points on your driving record, possible suspension of your license, fines, and significantly increased insurance premiums.
Fighting such a charge should be left up to professionals, not gambled away.
The attorneys at the Rosenblum Law Firm are seasoned professionals with vast experience in handling such matters. We know how to fight your reckless driving charge. For more information, call our toll free number at 888-979-7551 for a free consultation.
Dawa – as reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense, I strongly suggest you contest this violation. Please note – NY does not have a method to expunge criminal / misdemeanor records.
Hello, my name is Nabila and I received a criminal court appearance ticket for reckless driving for Queens county. I was safely making a left turn when the light was green, and I was under the speed limit. There were no pedestrians nor was anyone hurt. The oncoming traffic was a safe distance away, but suddenly one of the cars sped up towards me during my turn. My immediate reflex was to press on the accelerator causing my tires to squeal (it’s a MB convertible). This caught the attention of the police who pulled me over and gave me the pink slip. Also, I wanted to note that the ticket has my middle name written as my first name. What can I do to plead not guilty and avoid this charge? I don’t want it on my record at all. And how much would it cost to hire a lawyer for this? Please help.
I suggest you contact us to discuss your case in further detail. Reckless driving charges are misdemeanor offenses. These violations are non-expungeable from your NY Record, and will substantially increase your insurance rates.You may reach us at 888-883-5529 for a free consultation.
A few months ago I was in an accident involving 6 cars. 4 of those cars were seriously damaged, there were some injuries too. The other driver, whose car tipped over and ran into parked vehicles is trying to accuse me of road rage and speeding in his report. I got a few calls from the insurance company (I drive a commercial vehicle) and the agent told me that according to the police report I was the driver who caused the accident. But I haven’t received any subpoena or notice yet. How does it work in this case? Can it take a few months before I find out if I am charged with reckless driving if charged at all? And what can I expect? It’s my first accident and I am not really sure of my further actions.
While it seems likely that you will either be charged with something / brought into litigation, it is difficult to provide further information without knowing what charges will be forthcoming. You may reach us at 888-883-5529 when you receive further information.
I received a reckless driving charge after getting into accident with a suspended license, no drinking, no drugs, I am guilty of having words with the arresting officer and accepting the charges at court, this charged has ruined my career. I need to knowI if there is anything I can do get these charges expunged.
Kareem – Unfortunately, NY does not have any method of expungement.
Based on this, a good defense NY traffic ticket attorneys raise is that there were no additional “aggravating acts” beyond the bounds of a mere traffic violation. For example, if your attorney is able to prove that all you did was violate a speeding or lane change law without engaging in any erratic or out-of-the-ordinary conduct, you will likely be able to get the reckless driving charge dismissed or greatly lowered.
I got a reckless driving ticket and DAT for backing up too fast on a road to get into a parking spot. I ended up hitting a jay walking pedestrian who got serious injuries. this is my first accident ever, no drug, phone or alcohol involved. I was looking the whole time I was backing up and I am not sure if the pedestrian had run to cross the street or was in my blind spot or else. he did no appear in my line of vision till few seconds before the impact. what am I facing? criminally and personally?
Elly – due to the serious nature of this offense, I strongly suggest you contact us at your earliest possible convenience to discuss further. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense in NY. Please be advised – NY does not allow for any form of expungement.
I just got a reckless driving ticket an hour ago because I ran over a red light and I have a kid of seven years of age in the backseat without a carseat or a booster any idea how the thing can be reduced or something for it? This is my first offense ever and plus there was no other cars on either lanes.
Reckless driving is a serious offense, even if it is your first moving violation. It is classified as a misdemeanor, which carries 5 points, a $393 court fee and a significant auto insurance increase. I strongly recommend you fight this ticket. Contact us for a free consultation.
Brian – Due to the serious nature of this offense, I strongly suggest you contact us for a free consultation at 888-883-5529.
Hey sir, i got a reckless driving ticket for no reason can you please help me out ?
And is this free or there is a fee i need to pay to fight it?
Asa – we need more information in order to provide you further assistance. We offer a free legal consultation if you are interested.
Unfortunately, it does happen where the police will issue criminal charges based on a complaint filed after the fact. Your friend should definitely contact an experienced attorney because reckless driving is a criminal offense that does carry the risk of jail time as well as 5 points and substantial fines.

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