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Is reckless driving a criminal offense in Florida?
I just got a ticket for reckless driving. I live in Florida and was speeding on the highway (and weaving through other cars). Now I’m trying to learn more about what to expect from the ticket. Is reckless driving a criminal offense?
Samuel Todd · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Unfortunately, reckless driving is a criminal offense in Florida. We’ll walk you t
Unfortunately,
reckless driving
is a criminal offense in Florida
. We’ll walk you through some of the basics of reckless driving so that you know what to expect.Legally speaking, reckless driving has two elements:
- You drove a motor vehicle.
- You drove with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
The first element is satisfied. The second one is a bit trickier, though—and you might want to hire a lawyer to help you piece together a defense.
In this context, willful or wanton disregard means that you drove the car without caring about the consequences. That is, you knew there could be damage to property or harm to people, but you chose to speed and weave through cars anyway.
Here’s a breakdown of the penalty you might be facing:
- If it’s your first offense and it results in no bodily injury or property damage, it’s a second-degree misdemeanor, which can result in 90 days of jail time (or six months’ probation) and a $500 fine.
- If it’s your second offense, jail time jumps up to six months, and the fine can be as high as $1,000.
- If the driving causes harm or damage to property, the consequences will be far more severe (and potentially a felony).
Also, a reckless driving charge will add four demerit
points to your driving record
, potentially resulting in increased car insurance
costs or difficulty finding a future insurance policy. Since reckless driving is a criminal offense, it could go onto your permanent record, which may hurt your chances of employment. So, hiring a lawyer to help you understand the process and design a strong defense is a wise idea.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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