Source: http://www.washingtonstatespeedingticket.com/washington-state-reckless-driving-ticket-laws.html
Timestamp: 2020-07-14 19:42:19
Document Index: 594863150

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 89', '§ 46', '§ 117', '§ 6360', '§ 49', '§ 6362', '§ 87', '§ 46', '§ 67', '§ 6360', '§ 32', '§ 25', '§ 6344', '§ 4', '§ 6', '§ 4', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 43', '§ 2', '§ 324', '§ 16', '§ 15', '§ 24']

WA Reckless Driving Ticket Laws. Washington State Reckless Driving Attorney for Seattle, Everett, Tacoma. Reckless Driving laws, fines, penalties. - Speeding Ticket
Washington State Speeding Ticket Lawyers and Traffic Ticket Attorneys.
Let us fight your Reckless Driving arrest or criminal charge.
Reckless Driving in Washington State is a serious criminal charge.
Many people seem to be under the misconception that Reckless Driving is really nothing more than a serious traffic ticket. In reality, however, Reckless Driving in Washington State is a very serious driving crime that can a dramatic impact on your life and your driving privileges if you are convicted.
Reckless Driving is a gross misdemeanor here in WA State. It is punishable by a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Additionally, if you are convicted of Reckless Driving, the WA Department of Licensing will suspend your license for a period of 30 days. During this period, you WILL NOT be eligible for a hardship permit or temporary restricted license. The license suspension typically takes effect 45-90 AFTER you are sentenced.
In order to reinstate your driving privileges, you will be required to obtain an SR-22 insurance policy for a period of three years. An SR-22 insurance policy is a high risk insurance policy that is almost always considerably more expensive than your current insurance. It is also a serious criminal driving conviction that many employers consider when making hiring decisions, especially if any aspect of the job requires driving.
Additionally, a Washington State Reckless Driving conviction is what we refer to a "major" on your driving record. Under Washington State's Habitual Offender Law, certain driving crimes can have a dramatic impact on driving privileges if you get three or more of them within any five-year period. If you do end up with three or more major convictions in any five-year period your license will be revoked for seven years.
Speeding can be "prima facie" evidence of Reckless Driving in Washington State.
Many people are surprised to learn that excessive speeding in and of itself can constitute Reckless Driving here in Washington State. But it's true so long as the police officer can make some tangible argument that by speeding your driving in some way also endangered the safety of persons or property.
Law enforcement officers often makes a subjective decision about whether or not a person's speed should simply be cited as speeding or whether it warrants a criminal charge of Reckless Driving. Ultimately, it is up to the prosecuting attorney to make the final decision about whether your driving warrants a criminal charge of Reckless Driving. But prosecutors will typically rely heavily upon the officer's report in making this decision.
You should also know that a criminal conviction for Reckless Driving could have serious consequences for you if you are not a U.S. Citizen. It may also be a basis to restrict your travel to Canada in the future.
If you have been arrested or charged with Reckless Driving here in Washington State, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer whose practice emphasizes driving crimes. Reckless Driving is a unique charge because it requires that the state prove that the driver's conduct was in "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property".
When one of our clients faces a Reckless Driving charge, our top priority is to ensure that every angle of their case is reviewed. We typically travel out to the exact location where the alleged driving occurred and thoroughly investigate every aspect of the officer's report. In many cases, we are able to have the Reckless Driving charge reduced to a traffic infraction. While this is no guarantee that we will be able to do so in your case, we have had considerable success in doing so in the past. A lot depends on the specific allegations in the police report and your prior criminal history, if any.
We will do everything possible to ensure that you do not end up with Reckless Driving conviction on your record. And, if the prosecutor is unwilling to reduce or dismiss your Reckless Driving charge, we will try your case to a jury and let them decide.
Washington State's Reckless Driving Laws
RCW 46.61.665
Embracing another while driving.
[1979 ex.s. c 136 § 89; 1961 c 12 § 46.56.100. Prior: 1937 c 189 § 117; RRS § 6360-117; 1927 c 309 § 49; RRS § 6362-49. Formerly RCW 46.56.100.]
Racing of vehicles on highways — Reckless driving — Exception.
[1979 ex.s. c 136 § 87; 1961 c 12 § 46.48.050. Prior: 1937 c 189 § 67; RRS § 6360-67; 1921 c 96 § 32; 1915 c 142 § 25; RRS § 6344. Formerly RCW 46.48.050.]
Arrest of person involved in racing of vehicles: RCW 10.31.100.
RCW 46.20.285
Offenses requiring revocation.
[2005 c 288 § 4; 2001 c 64 § 6. Prior: 1998 c 207 § 4; 1998 c 41 § 3; 1996 c 199 § 5; 1990 c 250 § 43; 1985 c 407 § 2; 1984 c 258 § 324; 1983 c 165 § 16; 1983 c 165 § 15; 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 24.]
Effective date -- 2005 c 288: See note following RCW 46.20.245.
Effective dates -- 1985 c 407: See note following RCW 46.04.480.
Legislative finding, intent -- Effective dates -- Severability -- 1983 c 165: See notes following RCW 46.20.308.
Revocation of license for attempting to elude pursuing police vehicle: RCW 46.61.024.
Vehicular assault, penalty: RCW 46.61.522.
Vehicular homicide, penalty: RCW 46.61.520.