Lake County, IL Reckless Driving Attorney

Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney Helping Clients Throughout Illinois

In some cases, the traffic charge of reckless driving can be almost a “catch-all” term, covering everything from excessive speed, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or screeching around a corner. Illinois defines the crime of reckless driving as using or driving a vehicle wantonly or willfully with no regard for the safety of others. There is another Illinois definition of reckless driving which involves using any type of incline such as a hill or railroad crossing to make your car fly up into the air. Most instances of Illinois reckless driving are charges as Class A misdemeanors, however if a child or school crossing guard is injured you could find yourself facing a Class 4 Felony. Any reckless driving offense which results in bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement to another person will also be charged as a Class 4 felony. Finally, if your reckless driving injures a child or school crossing guard to the extent that great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement occurs, you could face Class 3 felony charges.

If you have been charged with the crime of reckless driving, it is important that you consult an experienced reckless driving lawyer immediately. Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt will thoroughly assess your case, determining the most effective strategy for your defense. As with any crime, the state has the burden to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As a former Cook County prosecutor, Matthew R. Gebhardt is adept at spotting weaknesses in the State's case. While developing your defense, Attorney Gebhardt will determine whether there were witnesses to your driving or there was a valid reason for the manner in which you were driving. Even if you were “caught in the act,” so to speak, Attorney Gebhardt may be able to negotiate an acceptable plea bargain in order to avoid the most serious penalties associated with the charges.

Reckless Driving Charges

Although many feel reckless driving is a fairly minor offense, the charges are actually very serious, and a conviction of reckless driving cannot be expunged from your record. Driving is more than simply a privilege it is an important necessity in our busy world. We drive to work, to school, to run a myriad of errands, to go to church, on vacation, to the movies and to visit friends, just to name a few. Without transportation, your day-to-day life could literally come to a halt. This is important because there are circumstances in which you could find your driver's license suspended with a conviction for reckless driving.

Penalties for a Conviction of Reckless Driving

An act of reckless driving charged as a Class A misdemeanor could be punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine should you be convicted. If a child or school crossing guard is injured by your reckless driving, you could be charged with a Class 4 felony and if convicted could face up to three years in jail. If great bodily harm occurred to the child or school crossing guard, your Class 3 felony charges could result in two to five years in jail upon conviction. You could find yourself with a suspended driver's license and be subject to probation, community service, mandated driving school and fines as high as $25,000 in addition to the potential jail time. A conviction for reckless driving will also add points to your driving record, which can cause your insurance rates to skyrocket.

How Your Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

By choosing the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., you have chosen an attorney who will conduct a thorough investigation into every aspect of the incident surrounding your charges. Our Northbrook reckless driving lawyer offers a vigorous defense on your behalf, aggressively advocating for your charges to be reduced or dismissed. If neither of those options is possible, we will negotiate with the prosecutor in order to obtain the best possible outcome. Contact Matthew R. Gebhardt today for a free initial consultation.