Reckless Driving carries the same maximum penalty as a DUI, but the right resolution can look very different. We help clients understand both sides of this charge.
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| Detail | Classification |
|---|---|
| Reckless Driving | Gross misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine |
| License suspension | 30 days upon conviction |
| SR-22 insurance | Required after a conviction |
Reckless Driving applies when someone drives with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. This is a broad, fact specific standard that can cover extreme speeding, aggressive weaving through traffic, or other dangerous behavior behind the wheel. In practice, very few people receive the full maximum penalty, but a conviction still carries a 30 day license suspension, a reinstatement fee once that period ends, and a requirement to carry SR-22 insurance, which raises your premiums for years afterward.
It is sometimes possible to negotiate a DUI charge down to Reckless Driving. Although the two carry technically similar maximum penalties on paper, a Reckless Driving conviction avoids the longer license suspension, mandatory jail, and ignition interlock requirement that come with a DUI. Most people would rather explain a Reckless Driving conviction to an employer than a DUI. One important detail: a DUI reduced to Reckless Driving still counts as a prior DUI offense for sentencing purposes if you are charged again within seven years, since Washington's penalties escalate sharply after a first offense.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.
Cases we handle
Mandatory jail, fines, and license suspension apply even to a first arrest. We fight for a reduction whenever the facts support one.
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Your license can be suspended before your criminal case is even resolved. You have only 20 days to fight it.
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Most DUI charges carry up to 364 days in jail. We build a defense around every stage of the case, not just the arrest.
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Multiple prior convictions can turn a DUI into a felony. We look hard at whether every prior conviction actually holds up.
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A path to a full dismissal for qualifying cases, in exchange for a serious, multi-year treatment commitment.
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Refusing carries its own penalties, but it can also weaken the state's case at trial. We help clients weigh both sides.
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Mandatory jail, fines, and license suspension apply even to a first arrest. We fight for a reduction whenever the facts support one.
Learn more
Your license can be suspended before your criminal case is even resolved. You have only 20 days to fight it.
Learn more
Most DUI charges carry up to 364 days in jail. We build a defense around every stage of the case, not just the arrest.
Learn more
Multiple prior convictions can turn a DUI into a felony. We look hard at whether every prior conviction actually holds up.
Learn more
A path to a full dismissal for qualifying cases, in exchange for a serious, multi-year treatment commitment.
Learn more
Refusing carries its own penalties, but it can also weaken the state's case at trial. We help clients weigh both sides.
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FAQ
On paper the maximum penalties are similar, but a Reckless Driving conviction avoids mandatory jail and the longer license consequences that come with DUI.
Yes. A Reckless Driving conviction requires you to carry SR-22 insurance, which is high-risk coverage your insurer files with the state. It typically raises your premiums and must be maintained for a set period afterward.
No. Whether a reduction is possible depends on the facts of your case, including your BAC, driving conduct, and criminal history, as well as the prosecutor's assessment of the evidence. An experienced DUI attorney can tell you whether a reduction is realistic in your situation.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.
