Questions About Your Washington State Traffic Ticket?
Contact Us.
| Questions About Your Washington State Traffic Ticket? Contact Us. |
RECKLESS DRIVING IN WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State Speeding Ticket Lawyers and Traffic Ticket Attorneys.
The Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe
(206) 667-8888
(425) 455-2040
(253) 852-1661
Keep your driver's license.
Keep your insurance rates low.
Let us fight your Reckless Driving arrest or criminal charge.
Reckless Driving in Washington State is a serious criminal charge.
Many people seem to be under the misconception that Reckless Driving is really nothing more than a serious traffic ticket. In reality, however, Reckless Driving in Washington State is a very serious driving crime that can have a dramatic impact on your life and your driving privileges if you are convicted. Don't simply forfeit your legal rights. Fight back.
Reckless Driving is a gross misdemeanor here in WA State. It is punishable by a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Additionally, if you are convicted of Reckless Driving, the WA Department of Licensing will suspend your license for a period of 30 days. During this period, you WILL NOT be eligible for a hardship permit or temporary restricted license. The license suspension typically takes effect 45-90 AFTER you are sentenced.
The consequences of reckless driving in Washington State can be severe.
The consequences of reckless driving in Washington are more severe and punishing than many people think. While not quite as harsh as a regular Washington drunk driving crime, a Washington reckless driving violation is still punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Plus, it is considered a misdemeanor crime, and is accompanied by a mandatory license suspension of up to 30 days. This suspension will require that you carry high-risk (SR-22) insurance for three years after your license is reinstated. SR-22 insurance is usually far more expensive than regular auto insurance.
Considering these facts, it makes sense to talk to a qualified Washington reckless driving attorney about the particulars of your case. Understanding the subtleties of Washington State reckless driving laws can be difficult, and this is true in every WA drunk driving related case.
Our legal professionals have over 30 years of combined experience dealing with these laws, and a Washington reckless driving lawyer from our team is ready to aggressively defend your driving privileges and work to keep you out of jail. Challenging your case starts with the thorough investigation of any pertinent records and events surrounding your being charged.
We believe that every case can be attacked to some degree, depending on the police reports and other varying factors. Building a defense takes time, so it’s important to contact a Washington reckless driving lawyer from our team as soon as you can, so we can start working as your personal representative.
Contact a Washington reckless driving attorney from our law firm for a free consultation!
Building an aggressive defense against your Washington reckless driving charges starts by contacting us to arrange a free case evaluation. You will be able to explain the details surrounding your reckless driving charges, ask us any questions you might have, and find out how your case might be resolved. This is a no-risk way for you to decide your own course of action on how you would like to handle your Washington, WA reckless driving violation.
If you choose to hire one of our legal professionals, we will immediately begin working to keep you licensed, keep you out of jail, and minimize the other penalties you might be facing. With 30 years of combined legal experience, our team has the knowledge and experience to ensure that your rights are being protected, from start to finish.
Any type of WA drunk driving charge can adversely affect your life in many ways. This is also true in cases of reckless driving. Understanding the law, and the penalties that you face, are essential if you plan to fight the charges against you. When you retain a Washington reckless driving lawyer from our firm, you will have an advocate for your character working to defend you and resolve your case. If you are concerned with your freedom and keeping your driving license, then you should be proactive in addressing the situation head-on.
Contact a Washington State criminal driving lawyer today for your cost-free case evaluation so that we can begin aggressively defending you against your reckless driving charges.
What about my insurance rates?
In order to reinstate your driving privileges, you will be required to obtain an SR-22 insurance policy and then maintain it for a period of three years. An SR-22 insurance policy is a high risk insurance policy that is almost always considerably more expensive than your current insurance. It is also a serious criminal driving conviction that many employers consider when making hiring decisions, especially if any aspect of the job requires driving.
Additionally, a Washington State Reckless Driving conviction is what we refer to a "major" on your driving record. Under Washington State's Habitual Offender Law, certain driving crimes can have a dramatic impact on driving privileges if you get three or more of them within any five-year period. If you do end up with three or more major convictions in any five-year period, your license will be revoked for seven years.
Speeding can be "prima facie" evidence of Reckless Driving in Washington State.
Many people are surprised to learn that excessive speeding can play an important role in Reckless Driving arrests and convictions here in Washington State. But it's true so long as the police officer can make some tangible argument that by speeding your driving in some way also endangered the safety of persons or property. For example, you passed a car to closely or you committed a lane violation while passing.
Law enforcement officers often makes a subjective decision about whether or not a person's speed should simply be cited as speeding or whether it warrants a criminal charge such as Reckless Driving.
Ultimately, it is up to the prosecuting attorney to make the final decision about whether your driving warrants a criminal charge of Reckless Driving. But, prosecutors will typically rely heavily upon the officer's report in making this decision.
What if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
You should also know that a criminal conviction for Reckless Driving could have serious consequences for you if you are not a U.S. Citizen. It may also be a basis to restrict your travel to Canada in the future.
If you have been arrested or charged with Reckless Driving here in Washington State, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer whose practice emphasizes driving crimes. Reckless Driving is a unique charge because it requires that the state prove that the driver's conduct was in "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property".
When one of our clients faces a Reckless Driving charge, our top priority is to ensure that every angle of their case is reviewed. We typically travel out to the exact location where the alleged driving occurred and thoroughly investigate every aspect of the officer's report. In many cases, we are able to have the Reckless Driving charge reduced to a traffic infraction (Negligent Driving in the 2nd Degree).
This is often a much more appropriate charge or ticket for the driving that actually occurred. Reckless Driving has a very high standard or burden for the state to meet. Again, they have to prove that you were operating a vehicle with a type of "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property."
While this is no guarantee that we will be able to do so in your case, we have had considerable success in doing so in the past. A lot depends on which court your ticket is filed into and the specific allegations in the police report, as well as at times, your prior criminal or traffic infraction history, if any.
We will do everything legally possible to ensure that you do not end up with Reckless Driving conviction on your record. Honestly, that's all any criminal defense attorney can really promise.
But, if the prosecutor is unwilling to reduce or dismiss your Reckless Driving charge when we are convinced that they should do so, we will not hesitate try your case to a jury and let them decide.
RCW 46.61.465
Exceeding speed limit evidence of reckless driving.
Reckless driving — Penalty.
RCW 46.61.500
Reckless driving—Penalty. (Effective until January 1, 2022.)
(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.
(2)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, the license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less than thirty days.
(b) When a reckless driving conviction is a result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, the department shall grant credit on a day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, revocation, or denial already served under an administrative action arising out of the same incident. During any period of suspension, revocation, or denial due to a conviction for reckless driving as the result of a charge originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, any person who has obtained an ignition interlock driver's license under RCW 46.20.385 may continue to drive a motor vehicle pursuant to the provision of the ignition interlock driver's license without obtaining a separate temporary restricted driver's license under RCW 46.20.391.
(3)(a) Except as provided under (b) of this subsection, a person convicted of reckless driving who has one or more prior offenses as defined in RCW 46.61.5055(14) within seven years shall be required, under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance.
(b) A person convicted of reckless driving shall be required, under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
[ 2012 c 183 § 11. Prior: 2011 c 293 § 4; 2011 c 96 § 34; 1990 c 291 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 85; 1967 c 32 § 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 59.]
Have you been charged with Reckless Driving in Washington State?
If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Our attorneys have successfully resolved hundreds of Washington State driving crime cases over the last ten years. We have the knowledge and the experience to guide you through the legal process.
If you have been charged with Reckless Driving here in WA State, it is important that you understand that this is a serious criminal driving offense that carries a mandatory 30-day license suspension if you are convicted. You will also be required to obtain an SR-22 insurance policy in order to have your driving privileges reinstated.
Is Reckless Driving in Washington State a Crime?
Yes. As noted above, Reckless Driving is a serious criminal offense in Washington State. Reckless Driving in Washington State is a “gross-misdemeanor”. This means that if you are convicted of Reckless Driving you face a potential sanction at sentencing that can include up to 365 days in jail and $5,000 fine. Additionally, if you are convicted of Reckless Driving, your license will subject to a mandatory 30-day suspension.
What about my license?
If you are convicted of Reckless Driving in Washington State, your license will automatically be suspended for a minimum of 30 days. The license suspension is required to be imposed by statute. The judge, therefore, has no absolutely discretion with regard to this issue. If you are convicted of Reckless Driving, your license WILL BE suspended. This suspension will typically take place 45-60 days AFTER you are sentenced.
Will I need special insurance to get my license back? (SR-22 Insurance)
Yes, if your license is suspended pursuant to a conviction for Reckless Driving in Washington State, you must carry an SR-22 insurance policy for a minimum of three years from the date that your license is reinstated. In most cases, this type of insurance policy is significantly more expensive than your current insurance.
Are there potential immigration consequences?
As a matter of fact, believe it or not, yes. If you are convicted of Reckless Driving in Washington State and are you not a United States citizen, it is possible that could be deported from the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizens, it is imperative that you call our offices now to discuss your options. Even one conviction for Reckless Driving in Washington State could have extremely serious immigration consequences.
Traveling to Canada
As surprising as it sounds, you should also know that if you are a U.S. citizen, a conviction for Reckless Driving could prevent you from being able to travel to Canada and potentially other countries as well.
Washington State Speeding and Traffic Tickets
If you have been charged with a Washington State Speeding Ticket or Traffic Infraction, please call our offices now for a free initial consultation. We want you to understand your legal rights and options so that you can make the best possible decision for you and your family.
Washington State's Reckless Driving Laws
Attorney Jason S. Newcombe and the attorneys who work with him are Washington State Reckless Driving lawyers. Over the last ten years alone, our attorneys have successfully resolved hundreds of criminal driving and traffic infraction matters throughout King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Kitsap County, and Western Washington. We are aggressive and affordable and assist client throughout the Greater Puget Sound area including the cities of Seattle, Edmonds, Burien, Des Moines, Bellevue, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Olympia, Issaquah, Lakewood, Puyallup, Renton, Kent, Auburn, Seatac, Marysville, Federal Way, Bothell, Redmond, Everett, Tacoma, and Fife.
All of our Reckless Driving cases are handled on a flat basis. The fee varies from $3,000 to $7,500 depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to, whether this is your first offense, whether your are facing additional charges, whether there was an accident involved and/or whether or not anyone was injured as a result of your driving. We do accept all major credit cards and offer flexible payment plans are available.