Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Charged With Reckless Driving – Guest Post

When you get stopped by the police and charged with reckless driving, you do not want to do anything to weaken your defense or make it difficult to dismiss the charges against you. When you take the right steps and hire an attorney at the right time, you may be able to reduce the punishment if you do not clear your name completely.

Reckless driving is a serious offense in New Jersey and carries a penalty of up to 60 days in jail. You may also be required to pay a fine of up to $200 and get your driver’s license privileges suspended for up to 6 months. You could make it harder for your Reckless Driving Lawyer to defend you if you make the following mistakes.

Mistakes to avoid if you are charged with reckless driving 

Admitting your guilt. 

Just because you feel right after an accident, that does not mean you are at fault. It is common to feel that you are at fault and feel sorry for the other party. However, you should not assume anyone’s fault before you speak with an attorney. If you are stopped by the police, the last thing you want to say to them is, “I’m sorry.” They could use your statements against you later in court.

Realize the gravity of the situation. 

You should not take the situation lightly. Reckless driving means you were driving your vehicle way above the posted speed limit and participating in reckless driving practices, such as tailgating.

While it may seem like a harmless ticket, the punishment could be months or years in jail, a fine of thousands of dollars, and a suspension of your driver’s license privileges. Moreover, a criminal charge stays on your record for a long time and can be found out through background checks.

Arguing with the officer. 

You may think taking your stand before the police officer will make a good impression. However, the police won’t believe you are innocent before any investigation is done. Arguing or speaking in a bad tone can result in additional charges and more serious offenses. Cooperate with the police and speak politely when they ask you to pull over.

Not retaining a lawyer 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not retaining a knowledgeable officer immediately after being charged with reckless driving. You may not have the skills, resources, and level of legal knowledge it requires to fight a criminal case. With an attorney by your side, you can have peace of mind.

Hire a criminal attorney today.