Reckless Driving – California Vehicle Code 23103
A reckless driving charge carries with it much more than a traffic violation. Reckless driving is defined as driving “in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property”. This charge can be given as a result of driving on public or private roadways or in public or private parking facilities.
This is treated as a criminal charge and can carry with it fines, points added to you driving record, a misdemeanor charge and jail time. California treats a reckless driving charge very seriously and can have more severe penalties if any bodily injury is caused due to an accident.
What are the Defenses?
If you are facing a reckless driving charge you will want to contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who understands your rights and options. You could be facing 5 to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, along with points on your driving record.
Our lawyers know that speeding itself does not carry with it a reason for a reckless driving charge and have successfully defended against such charges. We can raise several defenses on your behalf. Some of these defenses might include:
- You were not driving the vehicle
- You didn't intentionally drive in a reckless manner
- You didn't act with a wanton disregard for the safety of others
- Your driving was due to an emergency matter
Under California Vehicle Code 23103.5, the prosecution could accept a plea agreement of reckless driving under VC 23103 rather than a violation of California's DUI law, with a notation on the record that alcohol or drug use could have been involved.
This is commonly known as a “wet reckless” plea bargain. If you have been charged with a DUI, our experienced defense lawyers might be able to get your charges reduced to a wet reckless. This means you would face less serious penalties than a DUI conviction.
Reckless driving can cause a great deal of worry and strife due to facing a criminal charge or the risk of having your insurance premiums raised or policy canceled. The risks to your future can be long lasting, including loss of a job and inability to qualify for certain positions.
At Cron, Israel & Stark, our lawyers have 100 years of combined experience working on cases just like yours and know what we need to do to help get you the best possible outcome. .