San Diego Reckless driving DEFENSE LAWYER
If you have been arrested for dangerous, negligent or reckless driving under California Vehicle Code Section 23103 (VC), I can help you. I am Vista reckless driving defense attorney Peter M. Liss, and I have tried over 100 criminal jury trials and successfully defended many people who have been arrested and charged with criminal traffic offenses in San Diego County, including reckless driving resulting in injury.
If you need a skilled, experienced reckless driving defense lawyer with a track record of success, please call me at (760) 643-4050 for a free consultation. You will receive top quality representation for a reasonable fee.
About Reckless Driving Charges in San Diego: 23103 (VC)
Reckless driving charges can be incredibly intimidating, especially considering that most people charged with this serious offense have never even been arrested before. Fortunately, there is help and you can fight these charges and avoid a conviction, but only if you have the help of a skilled reckless driving defense attorney.
Penalties for Reckless Driving 23103 (VC)
While most driving offenses are only infractions, resulting in criminal citations (traffic tickets), reckless driving is a misdemeanor crime in California, which means you could be arrested and put in jail for the offense. If this happens, your vehicle may also be impounded and you will need to pay money to get your car back.
Even if you are not taken into custody after you were pulled over, you could still face a jail sentence of up to 90 days and be made to pay fines of up to $1,000. The fine and jail sentence can be increased even more if you have any previous offenses related to driving on your criminal record. Additionally, reckless driving convictions add two points to your California DMV record, which means you will likely end up paying more money for your car insurance for years. If you have enough points on your record, you could even lose your driver’s license.
It’s worth noting that alternative sentences may be given in certain cases. Because the potential penalties are severe, it is important to obtain a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to obtain the best results under the particular facts and law of your case. Your criminal defense attorney’s knowledge of defenses, sentencing guidelines, and alternative sentencing options will be vital to obtaining the best outcome based on your specific circumstances.
Fighting Reckless Driving Charges
In order for you to be convicted for reckless driving under 23103 (VC), the prosecutors must be able to show that you were 1) operating a vehicle on a highway or off-street parking facility 2) with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
Fortunately, there is much leeway in the when it comes to defining “a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” This means that if the prosecutor cannot prove that you were both aware that your driving presented a risk to persons or property and that you ignored that risk, your reckless driving lawyer may be able to have the charges against you dropped or reduced, or may be able to prove your innocence in court.
This is why there is no validity to the claim that it is a form of reckless driving to drive without your shoes on. There’s simply no way to claim that a driver with bare feet is driving with a wanton or willful disregard for people or property.
Similar Charges to Reckless Driving
Unfortunately, many people facing a reckless driving charge will also face other charges as well, including hit and run, drunk driving, property damage, injuries to other persons or excessive speeding.
Even certain types of reckless driving can result in additional or enhanced charges in California. For example, if a driver is going over 100 MPH when he is stopped by the police, then he will face a separate charge 22348(b) (VC) and a license suspension. Or, if someone was driving recklessly and caused an accident in which someone was injured, she could face felony charges.
If you have been accused of any of these crimes in addition to reckless driving, it is imperative you discuss the full extent of the case and the details leading up to your arrest with a lawyer. Doing so is the best way to find out whether your rights were violated during the traffic stop, whether you meet the legal standard to be convicted for the specific charges and whether or not you may qualify for a plea bargain or alternative sentencing.
How A Reckless Driving Defense Lawyer Can Help
If you have been charged with driving recklessly, I can help you fight the charges in a number of ways, starting by keeping you advised and updated with each step of your case. In the early stages of your case, I will argue for lowered bail, investigate the case, gather evidence to support your defense and make beneficial court motions to do things such as suppress the evidence. I will evaluate all possible legal defenses, which could include mistakes made by the arresting officer, proving you were not driving at the time, showing that you were improperly stopped or arrested, showing that your driving did not meet the legal standard of “reckless,” arguing that you were driving recklessly as a result of a medical emergency and more.
I will then represent you in a plea bargain or trial and if you are going to be convicted, I will work tirelessly to seek a reduction of the charges against you or seek alternative sentence options such as probation, community service or house arrest instead. It’s worth mentioning that for most cases, you will not need to appear in court, so it is not necessary to take time off of your work.
Conveniently Located Offices in Vista and San Diego
I have two convenient law office locations, with one across the street from the Vista Courthouse and North San Diego Jail facility and one located in Carmel Valley, just off the 5 and 805 freeways. Both offices offer free parking.
Call today to schedule a free initial consultation. I have a 24 hour answering service so you can expect a live person to answer the phone and a prompt, courteous response to your call, no matter what day or time you need to contact me.
A Reckless Driving Defense Attorney with a Personal Touch
As a top criminal defense lawyer who has been practicing for over 35 years, I have personally defended many people charged with reckless driving and other criminal traffic offenses in North County San Diego, California. I handle every case that comes through my doors from start to finish. Since obtaining a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, I have personally defended clients in over 100 jury trials.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you or someone in your family has been arrested for reckless driving, please contact my office today for a free initial consultation to learn how I can help you. I provide top quality representation for a reasonable fee and accept all major credit cards.
How to Contact Attorney Peter Liss
For skilled IMMEDIATE help with a San Diego County criminal traffic crime defense,
call Vista Reckless Driving Defense Lawyer
Peter M. Liss:
(760) 643-4050
or
(858) 486-3024
Call 24/7 – any time, any day. I can help you.
