Reckless Driving Lawyer

Reckless driving sounds like a traffic ticket—but in Florida, it’s something far more serious. It’s a criminal charge, and it can carry jail time, steep fines, license suspension, skyrocketing insurance rates, and a permanent record. One wrong move behind the wheel—speeding too fast, weaving through traffic, spinning out, passing illegally—and suddenly you’re in real legal trouble.

Whether your charge came from a police officer’s word, a high-speed accident, or a chase that didn’t even happen, you need to understand: Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense, and the state treats it like a red flag for dangerous behavior. If you walk into court without an experienced attorney, you’re putting your job, your future, and your freedom on the line.

What Is Reckless Driving Under Florida Law?

Under Florida Statute § 316.192, reckless driving means operating a vehicle “with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” That’s a fancy way of saying you were driving in a way that the officer thought was intentionally dangerous.

That definition? It’s incredibly vague. And that’s exactly what makes this charge so easy to fight—if your lawyer knows what they’re doing.

You can be charged for:

Driving aggressively or too fast for conditions
Swerving or tailgating
Running multiple red lights
Street racing or burnouts
Fleeing law enforcement—even without a chase

What Are the Penalties?

A conviction isn’t just about points on your license—it’s about real, tangible consequences.

First Offense (Misdemeanor):

Up to 90 days in jail
Up to $500 in fines
Possible license suspension
4 points on your driving record
Increased insurance premiums for years

Second Offense:

Up to 6 months in jail
Up to $1,000 fine
Longer suspension, stricter probation

Injury or Property Damage?

Becomes a first-degree misdemeanor
Up to 1 year in jail, $1,000+ fine

Serious Bodily Injury?

Now we’re talking felony charges
Up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine, felony record

Reckless Driving Arrests By The Numbers

In 2024, Florida Law Enforcement agencies made 7686 arrests for reckless driving. In the last few years, the trend has been increasing upwards as the state cracks down on illegal street racing and takeovers.

Why You Can’t Afford to Plead Guilty

Most people think they’ll just explain their side to the judge and get a warning. That’s not how this works. Judges don’t hand out leniency to people facing reckless driving charges—they protect the public. And prosecutors? They’re looking to make examples out of drivers who push the limit.

If you plead guilty, you may lose your license. You might go to jail. And you’ll definitely have a criminal record that shows up every time you apply for a job or apartment.

There are better options:

Getting the charge reduced to careless driving
Fighting for a dismissal
Negotiating for no jail time, no points, no license hit

But none of that happens without legal firepower.

Why Choose The Ticket Clinic?

At The Ticket Clinic, reckless driving is one of the most common criminal charges we handle—and we’ve been beating them for over 35 years. With over 2,000 courtroom wins and clients across every county in Florida, our results speak for themselves.

We know how to:

Challenge the officer’s observations
Break down flawed dashcam or bodycam video
Discredit exaggerated police reports
Argue for reduced charges or pre-trial diversion

We have:

28 offices across Florida, so you’ll never have to go far
Local lawyers in every Florida courthouse
Former prosecutors on our side who know the tricks the state uses
Payment plans that work for real people

Don’t Let One Mistake Become a Criminal Record

Reckless driving isn’t just a traffic issue—it’s a full-blown legal crisis. But with the right defense, it doesn’t have to wreck your life.

Call The Ticket Clinic today. Let us review your case for free.

The sooner you act, the more options you have. We’ll fight to protect your record, your license, and your freedom—so you can move forward, not fall behind.