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Reckless Driving
There are many rules and regulations an individual must mindful of when they are behind the wheel in Jacksonville. It can be easy to mistakenly or inadvertently break a traffic law in Florida. Speed limits, stop signs, stop lights, other drivers, pedestrians and the weather are all factors that can affect driving, and ultimately lead to an arrest for a criminal traffic offense, such as reckless driving. Sometimes even the safest and most cautious driver can be distracted and accidentally crash with another driver or cause damage to another person's property. If you have been charged with a reckless driving offense, it is important to contact an experienced Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer. Reckless driving charges can result in serious consequences and possibly even more serious traffic offenses, such as vehicular homicide or DUI.
If you have been charged with a reckless driving offense throughout Jacksonville, contact Roelke Law . Bill Roelke is an experienced traffic defense lawyer and represents individuals throughout northeast Florida, including the areas of Saint Augustine, Fernandina Beach and Orange Park. Contact Roelke Law at (904) 354-0333 for a consultation about your alleged reckless driving today.
Reckless Driving in Florida
The offense of reckless driving usually occurs when an individual who drives any vehicle with the intentional disregard for the safety of others or property, as stated in Fla. Stat. § 316.192.
Per se reckless driving can occur if an individual flees or eludes a police officer while operating a motor vehicle. In order to be charged with per se reckless driving, the vehicle operator does not have to have the typical intent element if they flee from a law enforcement officer. This means a driver can automatically be charged with reckless driving even if they are not intentionally driving without regard for the safety of others or property.
Penalties for Reckless Driving in Jacksonville
The penalties for reckless driving in Florida can be found in Fla. Stat. § 316.192, and can vary depending on the facts surrounding each case.
- A first reckless driving conviction can result in a fine between $25 and $100 and/or up to 90 days in jail, or not more than 6 months of probation.
- A second or subsequent reckless driving conviction can result in a fine between $50 and $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.
If damage to property occurs as a result of the reckless driving or another person received serious bodily injury from the reckless driving offense, the penalties can severely increase.
- An individual who causes property damage as a result of reckless driving can be charged with a misdemeanor in the first degree, which is punishable by a fine between $25 and $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail.
- If serious bodily injury to another person occurs as the result of a reckless driving offense, the alleged reckless driving offender can be convicted of felony of the third degree, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000.
Serious bodily injury is defined in Florida as an injury that can result in death, or disfigurement or impairment of a body part, according to Fla. Stat. § 316.192.
If an individual is considered a habitual felony reckless driver under Fla. Stat. §775.084, they can be sentenced to the following:
- A prison term of 10 years,
- A prison term of 10 years without eligibility of parole for the first five years, or
- A prison term of 15 years with a mandatory minimum of 10 years.
Careless Driving in Jacksonville
Careless driving in Florida is a less serious offense than reckless driving, and if reckless driving cannot be proven, an individual may instead be charged with careless driving. According to Fla. Stat. § 316.1925, careless driving is considered the failure to drive in a careful and sensible manner. A conviction for careless driving can result in community service and/or fines.
Roelke Law, P.A. | Duval County Reckless Driving Attorney
Contact Roelke Law today for a free consultation about your alleged reckless driving offense in Jacksonville. Bill Roelke is an experienced Jacksonville traffic charges lawyer and will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious repercussions to your alleged reckless driving offense. Contact Roelke Law at (904) 354-0333 or send an online message for a consultation about your alleged reckless driving charge throughout the counties in northeast Florida including Duval, Nassau, Clay and St. Johns.
