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In Gilbert, Arizona reckless driving is a traffic violation often cited for driving behavior that is erratic beyond behavior like not using your turn signal on the roadway. When thinking of what conduct constitutes reckless driving in Gilbert, it is helpful to think of the crime of disorderly conduct and its “catch all” nature. This is because reckless driving is sort of a catch all crime for traffic violations.
This is to say that reckless driving charges are effectively a judgement call on the part of the officer. That being said, there are a few common alleged behaviors that we see individuals commonly cited for reckless driving
While these are some of the more common acts, we see people cited for when charged with reckless driving, really any other driving behavior that is unsafe and could potentially put anyone at risk could be considered reckless driving. This fact is seen more clearly when we take a look at the language of the law in Arizona Revised Statutes: “[a] person who drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.” While it may seem unfair that a police officer can whimsically sight you for such a broad crime, remember that the State has the burden of proving that you are guilty in order to convict you of a crime. Hiring a defense attorney to take the government to task can greatly increase your chances of obtaining a successful outcome.
Reckless driving in Gilbert is a class 2 misdemeanor and a conviction of reckless driving could result in up to a $750.00, 4 months jail time or probation. However, generally a first-time offense will result in a fine of a few hundred dollars. It is important to note that beyond any statutory penalties an individual could face with a reckless driving conviction, the Arizona Department of Transportation will assess 8 points against that individuals license. That assessment paired with another traffic violation within 12 months could likely mean a license suspension.
With the potential penalties that may come from a reckless driving charge, it would be in your best interest to consult a local Gilbert criminal defense attorney before taking any further action on your case. At Rosenstein Law Group, our local attorneys know how the prosecutors and Courts have reckless driving charges and have worked on thousands of criminal traffic offenses for clients in Gilbert and throughout the valley. Even if this is your first experience with the criminal justice system and you don’t believe you are guilty, a reckless driving offense is serious and may have significant consequences for you and your driving privileges. It would be unwise to dismiss this as an insignificant traffic ticket, contact Rosenstein Law Group to schedule a free consultation for your Gilbert reckless driving case today. We offer consultations by phone or in person at one of our offices. Contact our office online here or by calling (480) 248-7666.