What can I expect from a reckless driving ticket? 8 Answers as of December 09, 2011

On your first court date, you should enter a plea of not guilty. Once you hire an attorney, they will get a copy of your report and analyze whether there are any good defenses to your charge. Since reckless driving is a misdemeanor in California, you technically can be sentenced up to 365 days in the county jail.

In your closing you finished your question with the term 'Thank You'. That is the best policy in this situation. You messed up and you should not have been spinning donuts. That was poor judgement, show the judge that you understand that it was poor judgement and out of character for you. You can even explain that you understand the risks involved. You could have lost control and hurt someone or yourself and that you deserve a break because you are young and trying to do the right thing now. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

You should be charged with a violation of Vehicle Code Section 23103 (b) also known as reckless driving. The code section reads as follows: 23103 . (a) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. (b) A person who drives a vehicle in an off-street parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12500, in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. (c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 40008, persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105. This is a misdemeanor as opposed to a speeding ticket which is an infraction. This means that you will go to misdemeanor court and not traffic court. You are also allowed an attorney. Talk to the Public defender assigned to the court. When you go to court you should attempt to attempt to have the charge reduced to expedition of speed or speeding. If you can get it reduced try to see if you can get traffic school. If you get it reduced to an infraction you will be doing well.

VC 23103 can result in up to 3 months in jail. But since it is a relatively minor misdemeanor, an experienced attorney can probably get it reduced to an infraction. Otherwise a misdemeanor is a criminal record that will show up in background checks.

No jailtime. Probably a hefty fine. Make sure your attorney lets the judge know you are wanting to go in the Air Force as that may well cut down on the fine. Good luck.

I have handled a number of these cases and can share with you some good news. Although you are charged with a Misdemeanor that carries a Maximum sentence of 6 months in county jail, $1,000 fine, and 2 points on your drivers license, I have experienced that in my prior cases I was able to arrange with the District Attorney for no jail time, no probation, no points on your license, and case dismissed upon completion of a class in human behavior, give a DNA sample to the District Attorney, and no new violations/charges for a period of 90 days. As each case is different, there can be no guarantee that your case will result in the same manner as my prior cases.

I am not certain that controlled donuts is reckless driving, unless you endangered someone or some cars or property!!! You should fight it, unless you almost ran into the cop car while donutting!

You should contact an attorney or if you cannot afford private counsel, the public defender. Reckless driving is punishable by up to three months in jail plus about a thousand dollars in fines and surcharges. You might be able to reduce it to an infraction for breaking traction, which would only be a fine. The reckless driving also counts as two points on your license.