Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1212, “Reckless Driving”

Reckless Driving is one of the most serious charges you can incur at a traffic stop. Reckless Driving is a Misdemeanor criminal offense and if you plead guilty or are found guilty you are subject to thirty days jail and a permanent criminal record.

Reckless Driving is a unique charge because it is only a criminal offense that also gives you points on your license (DWI and driving with a suspended license do not carry points). If convicted, you will get five points on your driving record. The maximum fine for a first-time offender is $300 + $93 mandatory surcharge.

The exact wording of the statute (New York Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1212) is as follows:

Reckless driving shall mean driving or using any motor vehicle, motorcycle or any other vehicle propelled by any power other than muscular power or any appliance or accessory thereof in a manner which unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway, or unreasonably endangers users of the public highway. Reckless driving is prohibited. Every person violating this provision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Defense of Reckless Driving

If you were charged with Reckless Driving, it is imperative that you contact an experienced traffic ticket lawyer. If handled properly, the charge can be reduced to a minor parking ticket or dismissed entirely. Very often, the charging instruments are prima facie insufficient. This allows a seasoned attorney to argue for the summons or ticket to be thrown out entirely. At minimum, it should give your lawyer the upper hand when negotiating for an advantageous plea offer. Attorneys are often allowed to appear in court in the place of their clients as long as the case is not going to trial

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

If you were cited with Reckless Driving, you can contact the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. We are a New York State traffic ticket defense firm and our attorneys have successfully adjudicated many Reckless Driving charges. A partial list of courts where we handled Reckless Driving cases include Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Shandaken, Woodridge, North Hudson, Wayland, Bolton, Warsaw, and Owego. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office provides free consultations with an attorney for any Reckless Driving case. We can be reached at your convenience and will be glad to help.

Fight a VTL § 1212 Ticket