Savannah Georgia Reckless Driving Lawyer

Reckless Driving in GA

 

The crime of reckless driving is a misdemeanor in the state of Georgia, and the charge is subject to the interpretation of the law enforcement officer who issues the citation. In many states, exceeding the speed limit by a specified margin is a specific objective criterion for the reckless driving charge, but this is not the case in the state of Georgia. However, a Georgia law enforcement officer could decide that the speed at which a driver was operating his or vehicle under given circumstances was in fact a contributing factor in the issuance of a reckless driving citation.

 

The definition of reckless driving via Georgia Code 40-6-390 is as follows:

"Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless driving."

 

Georgia Code 40-6-390 goes on to elucidate the penalties for reckless driving, which include a fine that is not to be greater than $1,000 and jail time of up to one year; just how much jail time and the exact amount of the fine are left to the discretion of the presiding judge. A reckless driving conviction also results in four points against the individual's driver's license. That is more than a quarter of the way to the driver's license suspension that accompanies an accrual of 15 points over a two-year period, so it is not to be taken lightly.

 

So the reckless driving charge has to do with the officer on the scene deciding that the driver was acting with total disregard of the safety of those in the vicinity. Though public safety is something that all of us should take very seriously, it may be difficult for a law enforcement officer to be able to prove that a driver was willingly acting in a manner that completely disregarded the safety of others.

 

If you feel as though you may have made an error in judgment, but disagree with the accusation of recklessness, you have recourse. In matters as subjective as these, it is always prudent to engage in a consultation with a Georgia traffic ticket attorney who has the experience and expertise to advocate your position to the court.

If you are suspected of or charged with reckless driving in the Savannah area, then contact a seasoned GA attorney immediately.