Rockville, Maryland Reckless Driving Attorney

Capable Defense Lawyers for People Accused of Reckless Driving in Rockville, MD

A reckless driving charge may not seem serious at first, but the long-term consequences may be much more severe than you expect. On top of heavy fines, you could be burdened with a criminal record, and depending on your record, you might even lose your license. If you have been accused of reckless driving, consider working with a Rockville, MD criminal defense attorney to protect yourself.

At Salvado Law Offices, we have garnered over 100 5-star reviews from clients praising our effective counsel and representation, as our attorneys have helped Rockville residents fight criminal charges for years. We are deeply familiar with traffic law and the possible impact of a reckless driving conviction, so you can trust us to provide you with an aggressive defense in court.

What Qualifies as Reckless Driving in Maryland?

Under state law, you could be charged with reckless driving if you are accused of driving with "wanton or willful disregard" for the safety of other people or property. Since the statute is worded broadly, different behaviors could be charged as reckless driving, such as:

• Excessive speeding
• Ignoring traffic signage
• Failing to yield
• Passing another motorist at a railroad crossing

If you are convicted of reckless driving, you could be punished with a fine of up to $1,000. Effective October 1, 2025, judges can sentence reckless drivers to up to 60 days of jail time in addition to the fine. This will also leave you with a criminal record, which can impact your ability to find employment after you have served your sentence.

Administrative Penalties for Reckless Driving

In addition to possible criminal penalties, if you are convicted of a traffic violation, you will have points added to your driving record. Points on your driving record can result in higher insurance premiums, and if you accumulate enough points, you could lose your driving privileges. After a conviction, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will take into account how many points you have accumulated in the past two years to determine what action should be taken.

When you have accumulated more than five points on your record, you will be required to attend a Driver Improvement Program by the MVA. When you have accumulated eight points, the MVA can suspend your license. With 12 or more points, the MVA can revoke your license.

If you have any points on your record from a past conviction, a reckless driving conviction can jeopardize your driving privileges. Keep in mind that you have the right to request a hearing to contest the suspension or revocation. At Salvado Law Offices, we will do everything we can to protect your license.

Possible Defenses Against a Reckless Driving Charge

Simply being charged with reckless driving does not necessarily mean that you are guilty. When you work with our firm, we will review the prosecution's case against you to determine the best possible defense strategy.

One possible strategy may involve questioning whether or not your conduct behind the wheel was truly "reckless." The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you exhibited a wanton or willful disregard for other persons or property. If you can show that you were still taking care not to hurt anyone or damage any property, the crime could be reduced to a lesser charge or dismissed altogether.

At Salvado Law Offices, we provide strong defense against reckless driving charges, working to safeguard your driving privileges and protect your future.