How to Beat a Reckless Driving Ticket
If you have received a reckless driving ticket, you need to take it very seriously and act quickly. Some states consider reckless driving a criminal offense with penalties similar to receiving a ticket for drinking and then driving. Penalties may include a suspended license for up to six months, jail time, thousands of dollars in fines and possibly being dropped by your insurance company. If convicted, you could have a criminal record that could affect your current job and future opportunities.
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Things You'll Need
- Appeal form
- Lawyer
- Affidavits from witnesses, companies
- Videos if available
- Pictures of the area including signs
Instructions
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Appeal the ticket within the time frame allowed by the procedures outlined on the ticket. Some areas allow people to appeal by telephone others require an appeal requested in writing. Do not just pay the ticket. By appearing at your court date, you could have the ticket dropped or reduced.
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Hire a lawyer experienced in traffic violations. Tell your lawyer everything you can remember about the situation: the weather, bystanders, road workers, traffic congestion and anything the officer said.
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Go back to the area where you were cited and take pictures of anything that may influence the determination. For example, if the view of the speed limit sign is restricted take a picture of it. If there is or was construction in the area photograph were it began and stopped. If road hazards are a factor, take pictures of them.
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Request affidavits from the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the company doing the road work about whether or not workers were present at the time of your citation if it was in a construction zone. If you have the names of any witnesses, or you had passengers, request affidavits from them about what occurred. Area businesses may have employees who witnessed something that can testify about any special conditions that day, so ask.
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Determine whether the police vehicle had an operating video camera. If it did, request that they play the video during the hearing, if you think you are not at fault.
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Share all of the evidence you gather and documentation with your legal counsel at least a week before court if possible. This will allow your lawyer to look through the evidence and determine if it affects the defense.
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Arrive at your appointed court time at least 15 minutes early with your lawyer and all of the documentation and photos in order. You may want to make a poster to display and organize your information.
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Tips & Warnings
Dress conservatively for your court date, bathe and comb your hair.
Treat the judge with respect.
Appear prepared with documentation
Some courts automatically throw out tickets when the citing officer does not appear.
A reckless driving conviction will dramatically increase your cost of vehicle insurance.
A conviction of reckless driving can result in jail time.
