With an estimated population of more than 3,000.000 people, Orange County is the third largest county in the state of California. With such a large number of residents, not to mention the countless tourists that pass through each year, Orange County roads are very susceptible to incidents of reckless driving. When facing charges of reckless driving in Orange County, it is quite commonplace to feel overwhelmed by the intricate laws surrounding and penalties associated with your charges, but it is important to remember that there are resources that can help.
Reckless driving is considered to take place when a vehicle is driven in either an off-street parking facility or upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property around them (V.C. Section 23103). A person who is convicted of reckless driving may face imprisonment for no less than five days but no more than ninety days, or have to pay a fine of at least $145 but no more than $1000. In some cases, you may have to attend and successfully complete traffic violator school as well.
Under Vehicle Code 23104, reckless driving causing bodily injury holds harsher consequences as a misdemeanor/felony. You could face serving jail time for no less than thirty days but no more than six months, pay a fine of no less than $220 but no more than $1000, or be punished by both a monetary fine and imprisonment sentence. If you’re charged with reckless driving resulting in bodily injury to another person, and you’ve previously already been convicted of reckless driving, you could be imprisoned in a state prison as opposed to a county jail. In addition, your license may be suspended for at least one month if not more. Furthermore, if you’re convicted of three or more reckless driving offenses within twelve months, you will receive a 3-year revocation.
As any traffic ticket lawyer will tell you, it is never a good idea to elude a police officer if you are pulled over under suspicion of reckless driving, or any other crime for that matter. If you flee or attempt to elude an officer while driving “in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property,” you could be subject to six months to a year in jail, in addition to a fine no less than $1000 but no more than $10,000. “Willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” is defined by the law, but is not limited to, committing three or more traffic law violations, violations that can result in traffic violation points on your driving record.
Road rage is sometimes a precursor to reckless driving, and can sometimes include a driver using their motor vehicle to commit an act of assault against another motor vehicle, a pedestrian, or an operator of a bicycle, among other unique situations that have been known to occur. Violating Penal Code §245(a) can land you in State prison for either 2, 3, or even 4 years or at least no more than one year in county jail, plus a fine not exceeding $10,000 and a six month license suspension.
During such a critical time that has significant influence on your future, you need a the best criminal defense attorney in Orange County who you can trust to aggressively defend your rights and secure the evidence in your case.
