A driver is considered to be “reckless” in Orlando when he or she has a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the property and people around them. With such an encompassing definition, it is easy to see how a lot of driving scenarios in Orlando can leave a driver classified as a reckless driver in the eyes of the law. Because of the possibility for major physical damage, serious bodily injury or death as a result of this disregard while driving, when a driver is found guilty of this charge, it can result in fines, driver’s license suspension, jail time, increased insurance premiums and four points on your driving record.
So why on earth is this blog encouraging a charge of reckless driving over another?
Put simply, because being charged with reckless driving over driving under the influence in Orlando carries a lesser punishment. In Orlando and all of Florida, reckless driving is the only charge that a DUI can be reduced to. Of course, there is always the chance that an individual can be found not guilty of a DUI, but in those scenarios where the not guilty verdict is not very likely, lessening the crime to reckless driving is a great option. Also, a DUI conviction carries a mandatory adjudication requirement—this essentially means that you cannot have your record sealed or expunged in the future. With a reckless driving charge, there is an option for the judge to withhold adjudication and ultimately remove this instance from your record on a future date.
Although there are certainly stiff penalties attached to a reckless driving conviction, it does not carry the same immediate and secondary negative effects that a DUI conviction in Orlando does. For instance, many job and employment applications will directly ask an applicant whether he or she has ever been convicted of a DUI. Checking the yes box to this question can have devastating consequences over and over again. Unless you were applying to become a commercial driver for a living, have you ever seen an application ask you if you have ever been convicted of reckless driving? Didn’t think so. The social stigma attached to a DUI can also play a role in an individual’s personal and professional life long after the DUI case is over. The same cannot be said for a reckless driving conviction.
The DUI cases when a reckless driving defense is the best option are those when the state, for one reason or another, does not have the strongest case against you. As your attorney, we know the strength of the prosecutions arguments and when this is a viable defense.
If you have been charged with a DUI or reckless driving in Orlando, get in touch with the attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel P.A. today. We see these types of cases all the time. We can discuss the legal options ahead of you and work to reduce the charges against you. Give us a call today for a cost free and obligation free consultation, we look forward to hearing from you.
