Reckless Driving in Palm Beach County FL

In Florida, having certain offenses on your record can cause you serious problems down the road. Being charged with reckless driving in Palm Beach County FL is a perfect example. Besides DUI, reckless driving is perhaps the worst offense a Florida driver can be charged with.

This charge carries some surprisingly hefty fines under Florida law, and potentially even jail time. If you or a loved one want to learn more about how our reckless driving lawyer Andrew Simko can help, contact The DUI Center today at (561) 951-1264.

What Constitutes Reckless Driving in Palm Beach County?

In Palm Beach County, any of the following actions can constitute reckless driving:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Failing to yield
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Screeching around a corner
• Slamming the brakes suddenly
• Fleeing law enforcement in a motor vehicle

However, you can’t be charged with reckless driving just for accidentally speeding. Under state law, two things must be true in order for you to be charged:

1. You were driving the motor vehicle at the time of the offense.
2. You did so with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of nearby people or property.

“Willful” means you committed the offense with knowledge, intent, and purpose. “Wanton” means you committed the offense with intentional, conscious indifference to the potential risks and consequences.

To be clear, carelessness or negligence—like mistakenly running a red light—isn’t enough to be charged with reckless driving. You must knowingly and/or consciously commit the offense with full awareness that harm will likely occur.

Potential Penalties for Reckless Driving in Florida

The potential penalties for reckless driving in Palm Beach County FL vary depending on the details of your case and whether you have any prior offenses.

For your first reckless driving conviction, the potential penalties are:

• Minimum $25 fine up to $100
• Up to 90 days in jail

If this would be your second reckless driving conviction, consequences include:

• Minimum $50 fine up to $1,000
• Up to six months in jail

If you caused any property damage as a result of your reckless driving, your sentence may include:

• Minimum $25 fine up to $1,000
• Up to 12 months in jail
• First-degree misdemeanor on your record

If you caused serious bodily injury to someone with your reckless driving, you can be hit with:

• Fines of up to $5,000
• Up to five years in a state prison facility
• Third-degree felony on your record

Finally, if you’re considered a habitual felony offender as defined by Florida law, you can be sentenced to any of the following:

• 10 years in a state prison facility
• 10 years in a state prison facility with no parole eligibility for the first five years
• 15 years in a state prison facility with a 10-year mandatory minimum

When a Reckless Driving Charge is a Good Thing

In some circumstances, being charged with reckless driving in Palm Beach County FL is great news. For example, if you were charged with DUI, you’d want to fight the charge and minimize any penalties.

In Florida, hiring an attorney to fight the DUI can result in getting the charges reduced. Typically, the DUI will be lowered to a reckless driving charge. This would be a good thing because the penalties for DUI in Florida are far more severe than for reckless driving.

How a Reliable, Attentive Reckless Driving Attorney Can Help

Fighting a charge for reckless driving in Palm Beach County FL without legal representation is a tall order. Just being aware of potential exceptions or defenses isn’t enough to craft a valid legal defense strategy.

When you choose Andrew Simko as your reckless driving lawyer, he’ll use his experience as a former prosecutor to review the details of your case and identify which strategies the prosecution is most likely to use against you.

From there, he’ll construct a custom defense strategy based on your criminal record, the evidence against you, and how that evidence was obtained. The sooner you contact The DUI Center, the sooner we can start fighting for your freedom.

Call (561) 951-1264 today for your free case evaluation.

FAQs About Reckless Driving in Palm Beach County

Are there any exceptions or defenses to reckless driving charges in Palm Beach County?

Yes, some of the potential exceptions or defenses to reckless driving charges in Palm Beach County include:

• Proving you weren’t the actual driver
• Questioning the reliability of witness testimony
• Presenting extenuating circumstances for the reckless driving
• Requesting dash cam or bodycam footage of the alleged incident
• Determining whether any people or property were nearby and endangered
• Collecting testimony from witnesses that contradicts the prosecution’s claims
• Demonstrating you merely acted with negligence, not with willful or wanton disregard

It’s also important to note that you can’t be convicted of reckless driving in Palm Beach County FL based solely on excessive speed. If the evidence in your case only demonstrates that you were (for example) traveling 60 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, your reckless driving attorney can argue there isn’t a legal basis for conviction.

This is thanks to Luzardo v. State, 147 So. 3d 1083, 1085 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014) and Hamilton v. State, 439 So. 2d 238 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983).

Does a reckless driving charge affect my driving record in Florida?

Yes, a reckless driving charge does affect your driving record in Florida. You’ll have four points added to your driving record if convicted.

The points will stay on your record for at least five years from the date of your conviction. And your license will be suspended if you accumulate a certain amount of points in a specific period as follows:

• 30-day suspension for 12 points accrued within 12 months
• Three-month suspension for 18 points accrued within 18 months
• One-year suspension for 24 points accrued within 36 months

But remember, these apply only if you’re convicted. Working with a knowledgeable, reliable reckless driving lawyer like Andrew Simko is the best way to keep your driving record clean and avoid license suspension.

Should I hire a lawyer for a reckless driving charge in Palm Beach County, FL?

Yes, you should hire a lawyer for a reckless driving charge in Palm Beach County, FL as soon as you possibly can. Otherwise, you’re far more likely to end up with a conviction on your record that can haunt you for years to come.

This specific conviction can cause issues in many areas of your life. Your car insurance rates will go up and you’ll struggle to get hired for any job that involves driving.

And these are just the most minor penalties. You may also face jail time, fees, or a suspension of your driver’s license.

As a former prosecutor, our reckless driving lawyer Andrew Simko has the knowledge and experience to fight for your freedom—no matter the specific details of your case. If you or a loved one has been charged with reckless driving in Palm Beach County FL, contact The DUI Center now at (561) 951-1264.