The technical title of reckless driving in Ohio is “operation in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property”. The law states that you cannot operate your vehicle in such a manner or you will face criminal charges. Violation of the statute for a first offense is usually charged as a minor misdemeanor. If you have been charged with reckless driving in Ohio, the Prosecutor must prove that you drove a vehicle on any street or highway and drove with the willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property in order to convict you.
Hire the best criminal defense attorney who will build you a solid defense and may be able to reduce your charge to a less serious offense. Based on the circumstances surrounding your case, your charge may even be dismissed. There may be lack of evidence or other failure to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you were a reckless driver. The ticket you receive should have a specific traffic law that law enforcement claims you violated. If you did not violate every element of the specific law cited, your case may be dismissed on a technicality. If the officer cites the wrong statute on the ticket, or misidentified the highway or make of your car, your case could get dismissed.
If you did, indeed, violate the law, was there a legal reason for doing so? Talk to your criminal defense attorney about the emergency situation that should be taken into consideration for your reason for violating the law. Was there a medical emergency; were you on your way to the hospital? Were you trying to avoid an accident? Were you briefly speeding up while passing another vehicle on a non-divided highway where passing was legal? Were you being chased or followed and in fear? Were you ill and sped up to exit the road?
The Bottom Line: Call an experienced criminal defense attorney. Don’t plead guilty to any traffic offense. It can result in consequences you may not have considered, including points on your driver’s license, an increase in auto insurance rates and possibly even a criminal conviction on your record. Call me as soon as possible. 513-260-2099
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