Dealing with a reckless driving charge can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience. More than just a routine traffic ticket, reckless driving is often considered a criminal misdemeanor offense, resulting in lasting impacts on your driving record, steep fines, and even potential jail time in some states.
However, despite the serious repercussions, there are strategic legal defense options that may help you get reckless driving allegations reduced or dismissed entirely in some circumstances. With the right evidence and advocacy, you can potentially avoid a devastating criminal conviction.
Minnesota Reckless Driving Laws
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense in Minnesota. Under Minnesota Statute 169.13, you can be charged with reckless driving if you drive a vehicle in a way that:
- Shows a conscious or intentional disregard for the safety of people or property
- Is careless and likely to endanger or be injurious to any person or property
Some examples of reckless driving include excessive speeding, racing, weaving dangerously between lanes, ignoring traffic signs or signals, and driving too fast for weather or road conditions.
If convicted, potential penalties can include:
- Up to 90 days in jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Driver’s license suspension
Strategies for Challenging Reckless Driving Allegations
If you are accused of reckless driving, a lawyer may be able to get the charges reduced or even dropped by finding evidence to challenge the allegations.
Here is what could help:
Speedometer Test: If a cop says you were speeding, getting your speedometer tested can show if it was wrong. This evidence can prove you were not driving as fast as claimed.
GPS Records: GPS data can also show the actual speed you are driving. It can act as proof that you are obeying the limits.
Witness Statements: If people saw what happened, having witnesses explain that you were not driving recklessly could help convince a judge to drop the charges.
Poor Visibility: If bad weather or hard-to-see street signs meant you made a mistake, explaining this can sometimes get charges dismissed.
Instead of dropping charges entirely, prosecutors often offer deals.
Getting reckless driving reduced to a minor traffic offense is also possible if evidence shows you were not fully to blame, even if charges are not dropped. The penalties are much less severe this way.
One other option is a plea bargain – pleading guilty in return for lower fines, jail time, or license suspension. But you still end up with a violation on your record.
Don’t Risk Your License, Freedom, and Financial Future Fighting This Alone
A reckless driving conviction doesn’t just bring penalties – it can devastate your life. Just imagine:
- Losing the legal ability to drive to work or school for months or longer
- Constant anxiety from living under probation terms
- Calling loved ones from a jail cell if the judge imposes incarceration
- Paying thousands in fines that decimate your savings
- Being shackled with drastically higher auto insurance rates
Worse yet, a permanent criminal record shadows you every time background checks are run for jobs, leases, or loans. Years of opportunity could be stripped away.
Fighting this alone isn’t worth the overwhelming stakes. Traffic court is designed to efficiently convict. So, having an attorney in your corner levels the playing field.
The right lawyer exposes flaws to get charges dismissed entirely or plea bargains penalties to keep your record clean. Let us handle the legalese while you focus on what matters – your livelihood and future.
Contact Martine Law Today
At Martine Law, our attorneys have successfully defended hundreds of clients facing serious criminal charges. We will advise you at every stage and ensure you don’t make statements that could hurt your case.
Contact us for a consultation to discuss the details of your reckless driving case. Our team is here to aggressively protect your rights and help you achieve the best possible result.
