The Seriousness of Reckless Driving Charges in Texas

 Posted on March 08, 2022 in Criminal Defense

When a person engages in driving behaviors that can be classified under the law as reckless, they put themselves and everyone else around them in danger. Because of the seriousness of these actions, a charge of reckless driving is not considered a traffic violation in Texas, but is instead classified as a misdemeanor criminal offense. Anyone accused of reckless driving is arrested and must go through the criminal court system where they will be found either guilty or not guilty in order for the case to come to a resolution. This is why it is important to have a Travis County defense attorney advocating for you.

What Driving Behaviors Can Result in a Reckless Driving Charges?

Under Texas law, a person is guilty of reckless driving if they drive their vehicle, “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” There are multiple driving behaviors which can result in a driver getting arrested and charged with reckless driving. Any driving behavior that puts others at risk of injury or death can be classified as reckless driving. There are some behaviors that are more common than others, including:

• Aggressive driving

• Driving under the influence

• Driving too fast for road or weather conditions

• Street racing

• Lane jumping or weaving in and out of traffic

• Evading the police

What Are the Penalties for a Reckless Driving Conviction?

Since reckless driving is a misdemeanor charge, a conviction brings with it the same possible penalties that any other misdemeanor convictions do. In Texas, a reckless driving conviction can result in up to 30 days in county jail, a fine of up to $200, or both.

The penalties can be even more significant if the person who is convicted is on probation or parole, possibly resulting in a violations charge.

There are also other consequences that a reckless driving conviction can bring, including increased car insurance premiums. The conviction will also become part of the person’s criminal record and could show up in any background checks that are run for employment, education, or rental opportunities.

Contact a Midland, TX Defense Attorney

Charges of reckless driving should be taken seriously, especially given the potential ramifications if convicted. If you have been arrested, call Morales Law Office, Attorneys at Law, PLLC. at 512-474-2222 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Austin, TX reckless driving lawyers and find out what type of potential defense you may have for these charges.  

Sources:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/StatutesByDate.aspx?code=TN&level=SE&value=545.401&date=5/1/2015

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm