Although the following is fictional story about a young man and his reckless driving charge in Delano, Kern County, CA, the facts about the location, court, fines, and jailtime are real. If you ever face similar charges, call Bigger & Harman.
CA Vehicle Code 23103, Driving Offenses
You’re still not sure what you did to get a reckless driving charge. You did come around that curve rather fast, and even though your tires squawked a little, you still had control of your car. The law enforcement officer (LEO) who gave you the ticket said that he could have given you several other tickets as well, for driving too fast for conditions, racing, and driving to endanger. You thought he just might when you said you would just pay the fine and go to traffic school.
But, instead, he went into a full-lecture mode. He said, “In the first place, there is no traffic school allowed for reckless driving because it is a misdemeanor criminal offense. Furthermore, you could go to jail from five days up to three months. The fine starts at $145.00 up to a maximum $1000, before they add on the state and county surcharges and penalties. So, you’re looking at much more since those penalties make your fine five to seven times the base fine. If convicted, the judge can order both fines and jail time. Also, since there is no traffic school, your insurance company will see the two Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) points that the DMV will assess, which will stay on your record for seven to ten years. When your auto insurance comes up for renewal, chances are it will double or triple. That is if you can find a company to insure you. Reckless driving is a serious offense, young man.”
Dad’s Awesome Advice
To tell the truth, that LEO scared you, more than a little bit, so as soon as you got home, you called your father for advice. When you told him what happened, the line was quiet for too long, and more fear crept in about the situation. After what seemed like an eternity, your father replied, “Son, that cop was right, you are looking at a significant charge, with possible jail time. I’m looking at the CA Vehicle Code for reckless driving online. You need a lawyer. There are two good things; one is the location. Since it was in Kern County, you can call Bigger & Harman. I’ve heard a lot of good things about them, and they’re right there in Bakersfield. I’m sure they will handle your case in Delano, though I’ve heard it is a tough court with a tough judge. The other thing that might help is the severity of the charge. The state must prove you recklessly drove in a manner that endangered others. And, since no one was injured, the judge might consider the penalty too harsh for the circumstances, but call Bigger & Harman and see what they think.”
It turned out to be awesome advice. Mr. Bigger was upfront and honest about the severity of my case, but said they would do everything they could to get my charges reduced or dismissed. He even told me not to worry about going to court; they would handle it for me. I’m not sure how all this will turn out, but I feel better after speaking with Mr. Bigger.
Talk to a Traffic Defense Lawyer in Kern County
So, if you ever get ticketed for reckless driving, know that you are facing a very serious charge, which is a criminal offense if convicted. You need to consult with a local traffic ticket lawyer that has handled criminal cases. Whether scheduled for court in Lamont, Shafter, Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, Delano, or any other Central Valley location, you can call Bigger & Harman, at 661-349-9300. Or, send them an email:attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com with the details of your incident and a scanned copy of the ticket.
They also handle traffic tickets in Kings, Fresno, Tulare, Riverside, SLO, LA, Mono, and Inyo counties and Barstow in San Bernardino.
Bigger & Harman posts updates to CVC changes and other practical traffic information on their Facebook page, and you can read comments and feedback from clients there as well.
You could also read more comments and their bio on Avvo Nolo, or Yelp. Nolo and Avvo are popular legal websites that rate attorneys and post feedback.
Se habla Español 661.349.9755.