What is Reckless driving in dc

What is Reckless Driving in DC

Reckless Driving in the District of Columbia has essentially two elements: 

  • mental (“heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard” or “without due caution and circumspection”)
  • “at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger … person or property”

See:  Pelote v. D.C., 21 A.3d 599, 605 (D.C. 2011)  The Reckless Driving statute is § 50–2201.04. Speeding and reckless driving.

what is the Penalty for Reckless driving in the District of Columbia?

  • The Penalty for Reckless Driving (1st offense) in the District of Columbia is 90 days and/or a $500.00 dollar fine.  
  • The Penalty for Reckless Driving (2nd Offense) in the District of Columbia 180 days and/or $1000.00 dollar fine.
  • The Penalty for Reckless Driving (3rd or more offense) in the District of Columbia is 1 year and/or $2500.00 dollar fine

 

What is Aggravated Reckless Driving?

Aggravated Reckless Driving is similar to Reckless Driving in that the person still must have essential elements of reckless driving:

  • mental (“heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard” or “without due caution and circumspection”)
  • “at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger … person or property”

But in addition, the person driving the vehicle must also:

  • Operates the vehicle at a rate or speed at or greater than 30 miles per hour over the stated speed limit;
  • Causes bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another; or
  • Causes property damage in excess of $1,000.

 

What is the Penalty for Aggravated Reckless Driving in the District of Columbia?

  • The Penalty for Aggravated Reckless Driving (1st offense) in the District of Columbia is 180 days and/or a $1000.00 dollar fine. 
  • The Penalty for Aggravated Reckless Driving (2nd offense) in the District of Columbia is 1 year and/or $2500.00 dollar fine.

How many Points with the Department of Motor Vehicle will I receive if convicted of Reckless Driving?

  • Reckless Driving conviction in the District of Columbia will add six points to your driver’s license.   
  • Aggravated reckless driving convictions in the District of Columbia will add 12 points to your driver’s license. 

Furthermore, accumulating more than eight points on your driver’s license in the District of Columbia can lead to license suspension in DC.  

CONTACT CONSULTATION FORM

Traffic lawyer in DC explains Reckless Driving in DC Good day ladies and gentleman. My name is Mark Rollins and I’m an attorney here in Washington, D.C. I’m also licensed in the state of Maryland. Today we’re talking about reckless driving here in D.C. Reckless driving in D.C. unlike some other jurisdictions, where speed is a factor, speed does not necessarily have to be a factor in D.C. In order to be convicted of reckless driving in D.C. The only thing the government has to prove is, one, that you carelessly disregarded the right of others while driving your vehicle and two, you operated that vehicle at a speed or in a manner to endanger people or property. If the government proves those two things you can see that speed does not necessarily have to be a factor. You could’ve been going 30 miles in a 15 mile zone but you operate your vehicle in such a way that you endangered others or you carelessly disregarded the right of others you could be convicted of reckless driving. Also, reckless driving carries a mandatory 12 points on your DMV with the DMV upon conviction. Now, that’s for DMV. If you go to D.C. Superior Court for reckless driving and you’re found guilty of it, the first offense carries three months and/or 500 dollars fine and if you’ve been convicted in the last two years of the same charge then the offense actually carries a one-year and/or 1000 dollar fine. Now if you are charged with reckless driving I would ask you that you call our office and we’ll be more than happy to walk that through with you and help you out! Thanks for tuning in to our channel and we look forward to hearing from you!