What is Orlando reckless driving? Orlando reckless driving is a criminal traffic offense. It is not a payable citation. If a reckless driving charge results in an adjudication of guilt the driver will have a criminal record that cannot be sealed or expunged. Reckless driving according to Florida Statute 316.192 is driving a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. The key part of this statute is the requirement that the act must be willful and that it must endanger person or property. The cases we see usually involve aggressive driving, cutting people off, racing, drinking (under the legal limit) or road rage. The difficulty the prosecutor has with many of these cases is bad driving alone is not sufficient to sustain an Orlando reckless driving conviction. The bad driving must be willful. An Orlando careless driving charge is more forgiving for the state because they only must establish negligence and endangering person or property. Reckless driving is a serious charge in Orlando. Reckless driving is a hybrid second degree misdemeanor that allows punishment greater than the maximum punishment for second degree misdemeanors. Upon a first conviction the accused can be sentenced up to 90 days in jail, 6 months of probation and by a minimum fine of $25 up to a maximum of $500. While a $25 fine might sound small when court cost, cost of prosecution and cost of investigation are added in the actual cost is usually between $500 and $1,000 depending if the minimum or maximum fine is imposed. An Orlando reckless driving charge is also enhanceable. A second or subsequent conviction is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, probation or a fine between $50 and $1,000.
What Is Not Considered Reckless Driving?
Speeding alone is not sufficient to sustain a reckless driving conviction. Evidence did not support finding of wanton disregard for safety of persons or property, and, thus, evidence was insufficient to convict defendant of reckless driving, even though police officer estimated defendant's speed at 50 to 55 miles per hour in posted 35 mile per hour zone, where defendant had control of his vehicle, defendant's speed decreased as he approached intersection, and traffic was light to moderate. Miller v. State, 636 So. 2d 144 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1994). Evidence that automobile of defendant crossed the center line of the highway did not authorize an arrest for Florida reckless driving. A driver crossing the center line of the highway two or three times does not amount to reckless driving in Florida where there is no claim of speeding or driving on a curve or over a hill, at the time, or of heavy traffic. Graham v. State, 60 So.2d 186 (1952). If you are accused of Orlando reckless driving contact former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer Kevin J. Pitts today to set up a free consultation.