Naperville Reckless Driving Attorney

Illinois Lawyer for Reckless Driving Offenses in DuPage County

While a reckless driving charge is less serious than a DUI, it is still not something you want on your record. It is more serious than a traffic ticket for speeding or running a red light. Reckless driving is generally a misdemeanor offense, not a citation you can pay and be done with. However, in some circumstances reckless driving can be charged as a felony. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, you could face up to a year of jail time. If you are charged with a felony, you could face years. You will likely need to appear in court while your case is pending. It is important that you take your case very seriously and address the matter carefully. It is best to ensure that you are represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney who can fight back on your behalf.

Appelman Law LLC is skilled in defending those accused of reckless driving, DUI, and other traffic offenses. We understand how stressful being charged with a crime can be. Having a criminal offense - however minor - on your record can affect you for a long period of time. A criminal conviction may never go away. Our goal is to prevent you from having a criminal record. In some cases, we are able to see the seriousness of the charged offense reduced so that you may be looking at only a citation. In others, we are able to prove that your driving should not be considered reckless or that there is not enough evidence to sustain a conviction. With us defending you, you can rest assured that you are getting the very best representation possible.

What is Reckless Driving in Illinois?

Reckless driving is not an easy offense to define. It was designed as a catch-all offense to cover a wide variety of driving practices that endanger others on or around the road. For this reason, there is not an enumerated list of specific actions that can lead to a reckless driving charge. There are certain actions that have generally been held to be reckless driving under the statutory definition, such as excessive speeding and failing to slow down in severe weather. However, reckless driving can cover almost any dangerous way of driving.

In Illinois, "reckless driving" means driving in any way that demonstrates willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property around you. Many people are charged with both reckless driving and another more specific traffic offense. Types of actions that may be considered reckless driving in Illinois include:

• Excessive speeding - Even driving the speed limit or slightly below it may be considered speeding excessively in inclement weather. While a road may be perfectly safe at the posted speed limit most of the time, driving that speed may be dangerous in a blizzard or in high winds.
• Weaving & passing - Weaving in and out of traffic can be dangerous, especially when a driver is attempting to travel faster than the pace of traffic by repeatedly passing other drivers.
• Major distractions - Distracted driving may result in only a ticket, but in some severe cases it can be treated as reckless driving.
• Road rage related behaviors - "Brake checking," repeatedly cutting another driver off, or behaving as if trying to run another vehicle off the road can be considered reckless driving.

This is not a complete list of all types of reckless driving. Our attorneys will begin working on your case by reviewing the specific accusations involved so that we can prepare a defense specific to you.

Contact a Naperville Reckless Driving Lawyer

Appelman Law LLC is committed to providing the highest quality legal defense services to those accused of reckless driving and related offenses. Our skilled Naperville criminal defense attorneys will do all we can to minimize any impact this case will have on your life. To begin with a complimentary consultation, please contact us at 630-717-7801.