Do all reckless driving charges result in a suspended license?

Question

I heard that if you are found guilty of a reckless driving charge that you will get your license suspended.

Is this true?

My case is VERY Strange. I wasn't speeding, wasn't driving bad whatsoever, I was being bullied by the driver behind me so I panicked and tried losing him which resulted in me slowing down/stopping my car abruptly on the road and trying to turn to lose him, by turning to a side street,

but I have NO Idea why this would classify as reckless driving.

Though I get a notice in the mail saying thats what the charge is and i have to appear in court.

Could it be that the person or persosn who witnessed me were just trying to be jerks about it?

Also how can they PROVE that I was recklessly driving?

Wouldnt that include violent driving, speeding ad just dangerous driving?

I didnt know that stopping your car and making a turn or whatever was considered to be reckless driving?

What is the best case scenario and the worst case scenario from this?

Should I hire a lawyer to battle this with me?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I recommend that you interview attorneys who specialize in the defense of traffic violations.

I recommend that you slect an attorney who has a successful track record of winning at trial and who is most supportive of you and your case.

Based on what you have said, this is a case that you should vigoroussly  defend at trial.

If what you have said is true, complete and accurate, if you have a competent attorney, you will win at trial.

Answer 2

No, each case is different.  The main factor is the judge hearing the case.  My mom is a general sessions/juvenile court judge and she dismisses any cases of reckless driving/tickets/parking fines/ etc., if the officer isn't present on court day.

Your best bet is to obtain an attorney to handle it for you.  At least go and talk to one.  That way they can tell you what judge you will have and what your chances are of winning/losing.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

In my state reckless driving is defined as follows:

(a) General Rule - Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.

(b) Penalty - Any person who violates this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $200.

License will be suspended for six months upon conviction.

So yes, I would say your actions fall under reckless driving.

Answer 4

--- First off, all states are different in traffic laws. However most states now conform to the national traffic law model including Wisconsin, where I worked as a Deputy Sheriff.

--- Here is the Wisconsin Reckless Driving Statute, I think you will find most states are very similar to it:

--- 346.62 Reckless driving.

(2) No person may endanger the safety of any person or property

      by the negligent operation of a vehicle.

          (2m) No person may recklessly endanger the safety of any

           person by driving a vehicle on or across a railroad crossing

           in violation of s. 346.44 (1) or through, around or under any

           crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing in violation

           of s. 346.44 (2).

(3) No person may cause bodily harm to another by the negligent

      operation of a vehicle.

(4) No person may cause great bodily harm to another by the

      negligent operation of a vehicle.

======================================...

--- In Wisconsin the first offense Reckless Driving is a ordinance violation, which means it is non-criminal. The first offense has no mandatory revocation of license but it carries 6 demerit points and if you have had any other points in the previous 6 months or you get any citation in the next 6 months you will have your license suspended for point accumulation.

======================================...

--- The first thing I would suggest is examine your citation and see if this is a criminal or ordinance citation. If its criminal traffic then you may be eligible for a public defender.

--- In order for you to be cited for this violation someone had to file a written complaint and you have the right to face them in court. If you feel your actions did not endanger safety in a recless manner I would suggest you contact a good trial attorney.

--- At a very minimum he can get copies of the officer's report and written statements made against you. Then you can decide with him whether or not it is worth it to fight it in a trial. If you have the money its always worth the try.

--- In court they will have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt ( for a criminal traffic charge) or a preponderance of evidence ( for ordinance violation) that you endangered the safety of someone to a reckless degree.  A good attorney may be able to question that successfully depending on hpw many witnesses they have and how viable they are.

--- So see an attorney and look over the reports and statements and get his opinion and then make up your own mind as to whether its worth the fight.