Bellevue Reckless Driving Attorneys

Reckless Driving Is a Serious Criminal Offense in Washington State

Reckless driving is another one of the most frequently charge crimes in Washington State. Reckless driving is considered a gross misdemeanor, which means that if you are convicted you could face up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and a mandatory 30 day license suspension. While reckless driving is a gross misdemeanor (see page for maximum statutory penalties), there are not mandatory minimum jail terms for reckless driving. For these reason, it is sometimes a great resolution if your DUI charge can be reduced to this lower offense, especially if the circumstances of your case involve alcohol.

You will be charged with reckless driving in Washington State if you drove a motor vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” What does “willful or wanton” mean? The most common scenarios when people are arrested for reckless driving include: driving erratically, driving at high speeds, swerving, racing, endangering other drivers, endangering passengers, or any other conduct that is a gross deviation from how a normal person would drive under similar conditions. The State will need to prove that you were driving, that you knew that driving a certain way presented a real danger, and that you drove regardless of that known danger.

Most of our clients understand that they might have made a mistake the way they were driving, but not to the level of a criminal offense with the significant consequences that follow an arrest. The attorneys at Washington Criminal Attorneys, are dedicated professionals that understand how our clients feel. Most of our clients are not career criminals, and quite possibly the only interaction they’ve had with our legal system was traffic court. If you were arrested and charged with reckless driving, you are now in the throws of Washington State’s criminal justice system. It is a difficult system to navigate with complicated procedures. It is somewhere you don’t want to be alone, and without an attorney that can guide you through the process, and minimize any potential consequences.

Because of the severe penalties that follow a reckless driving conviction, you absolutely need an attorney that knows the law inside and out, knows the prosecutors that will be in charge of your case, knows the judges that will govern how your case proceeds, and has seen these offenses play out all the way through trial. The attorneys at Washington Criminal Attorneys bring a wealth of experience, skill, and dedication to your case.

The initial consultation is free, and we will take the time to learn about your specific case, and give you our honest assessment of where your case stands. Remember, NEVER speak to the police, detectives, or anyone from the prosecutor’s office without an attorney. They have one job, and that is to make sure you are convicted. If you are reading this page you have been charged with a criminal offense. It is now them against you. With something as important as your freedom at stake, don’t make the mistake of handling your criminal charge alone.

Washington Criminal Attorneys will be there for you when the chips are down and the waters are story, and our Bellevue criminal defense attorneys will go to battle for you in defense of your case.