If you have been accused of reckless driving in St. Augustine you are not alone. In 2013 St. Johns County averaged just over 1 reckless driving case a week with 64 reckless driving cases. In 2012 St. Johns County had 96 reckless driving cases.
As defense attorneys in St. Augustine, we understand how important it is avoid jail, probation, and a criminal record. We know how difficult it is to live in St. Johns County without a driver’s license, and if you are convicted of reckless driving, you risk losing your driver’s license and receiving probation and jail time, fines, court costs, cost of prosecution, driving classes, community service, not to mention a drastic increase in your insurance rate for years.
If you hire us, we can keep you out of most of your court dates, so you can go to work and make money, as opposed to come to court and waste your time and precious vacation days. If we can negotiate a reduction to a non-criminal traffic infraction or dismissal you would not have to ever step foot in court. Let us use our experience to help get you the best possible outcome in your reckless driving case. Our attorneys have not only defended these cases but they have also prosecuted them as former prosecutors. Call us now to discuss your case at (904) 494-8584! It’s always free and confidential.
A St. Augustine reckless driving charge is often overlooked as a traffic ticket. Reckless driving in St. Johns County is not just a traffic ticket that can be paid, it is a CRIME. However Florida law focuses on the intent of the driver and the State has to prove that the driving was Willful and Wanton, and that is "intentionally, knowingly and purposefully" driving with conscious and intentional indifference to the consequences and the knowledge that damages is likely to be done to person or property. W.E.B. v. State, 553 So.2d 323, 326 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989). Thus we defense attorneys can defend against the prosecutor focusing on the driver’s state of mind (very difficult for the prosecutors to prove). Just driving fast is not enough to establish reckless driving. Mere negligence or an accident may be sufficient to establish careless driving but is not enough to prove reckless driving in St. Augustine. The challenge the prosecutor faces in a reckless driving case is to prove to a jury that the driving in question was willful. Our St. Augustine reckless driving lawyers have experience defending reckless driving cases throughout Florida. Just because a police officer says that you drove recklessly does not mean they can prove it.
A St. Augustine reckless driving charge is often overlooked as a traffic ticket. Reckless driving in St. Johns County is not just a traffic ticket that can be paid, it is a CRIME. However Florida law focuses on the intent of the driver and the State has to prove that the driving was Willful and Wanton, and that is "intentionally, knowingly and purposefully" driving with conscious and intentional indifference to the consequences and the knowledge that damages is likely to be done to person or property. W.E.B. v. State, 553 So.2d 323, 326 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989). Thus we defense attorneys can defend against the prosecutor focusing on the driver’s state of mind (very difficult for the prosecutors to prove). Just driving fast is not enough to establish reckless driving. Mere negligence or an accident may be sufficient to establish careless driving but is not enough to prove reckless driving in St. Augustine. The challenge the prosecutor faces in a reckless driving case is to prove to a jury that the driving in question was willful. Our St. Augustine reckless driving lawyers have experience defending reckless driving cases throughout Florida. Just because a police officer says that you drove recklessly does not mean they can prove it.
Call us now to discuss your case! It’s freeand confidential.
Reckless driving in Florida is a hybrid misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine (A second reckless driving can be punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the reckless driving results in damage to person or property it can be punished as a first degree misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 1 year in jail, 1 year probation or any combination of the two and up to a $1,000 fine. If serious bodily injury occurs the case can be charged as a third degree felony with a maximum punishment of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
In addition to any other penalties if the court has reasonable cause to believe that the use of alcohol, chemical substances or substances controlled under chapter 893 contributed to the reckless driving, the court shall direct the driver to complete a DUI program and substance abuse education course and evaluation with recommended treatment. The DUI program conducting the evaluation can refer the driver to a substance abuse treatment provider for substance abuse evaluation and treatment. If the driver does not complete the treatment the court shall suspend their driver’s license. Being accused of a crime is serious and a St. Johns County reckless driving ticket can result in jail or probation with substantial conditions.
If you are accused of reckless in St. Johns County call our St. Augustine reckless driving attorneys today. We handle reckless driving cases in St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Butler Beach, Fruit Cove, Palm Valley, Sawgrass and the surrounding areas in St. Johns County. Call (904) 494-8584 today for a free confidential consultation.