DuPage County Reckless Driving Attorneys
Effective Defense to Serious Motor Vehicle Violations
If you are stopped by a police officer for reckless driving, you will be dealing with much more than a minor traffic infraction. Reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor that can result in jail time, a severe fine and a criminal record. Police and assistant district attorneys are especially vigilant in pursuing convictions for this type of unsafe driving because of the danger posed to others who use the roadways. Many people do not realize that a police officer can decide to arrest you for reckless driving rather than issue a ticket. If you are arrested, your vehicle will be impounded. This means that you will need to pay impound fees and bail on top of applicable fines.
Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. has successfully defended thousands of individuals charged with the full spectrum of criminal offenses. Our DuPage County reckless driving lawyers recognize that a conviction for this motor vehicle offense can result in a permanent criminal record that adversely impacts every facet of your life. We use the full measure of our experience, expertise and litigation resources to defend our clients. Our law firm has built a national and international reputation for our successful outcomes in high profile cases profiled on Court-TV, CNN, Fox and national newspapers like the Washington Post, and The New York Times. Our founding partner Donald Ramsell has a proven record of defending individuals charged with serious driving offenses that include being the only Illinois DUI attorney to argue a DUI case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
What You Need to Know If You Are Charged with Reckless Driving in Illinois
Under ILCS 5/11-503, a motorist engages in reckless driving by driving with a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor, so you will have a criminal record if you are convicted. The penalty can be up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of up to $2,500. While we have successfully defended these cases by challenging whether the driving conduct was sufficient to meet the legal standard, effectively cross-examining the police officer and defending the constitutional rights of our clients, we can also seek probation rather than jail time. If you receive probation, you will avoid a criminal record. As part of your probation, you might be ordered to participate in traffic school and/or community service.
Because reckless driving in Illinois is a misdemeanor and not a petty offense, you can end up with a permanent criminal record. The conviction also can prevent you from having other future arrests and charges expunged or sealed. It also is important to know that you will be denied supervision for a DUI if you have a prior conviction for reckless driving in Chicago or the surrounding areas of Illinois.
Our DuPage reckless driving attorneys work diligently to obtain the best possible outcome for our clients when charged with crimes that include serious driving offenses. We invite you to call us today at 630-256-8001 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation in our conveniently located office in Naperville. Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. also has offices in Wheaton and in St. Charles or Rolling Meadows by appointment.
