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Louisiana Traffic Violations Attorney
Call Us | 318-377-1555
Traffic Violations Lawyer in Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, & Ruston, LA
Traffic Violations & CDL Licenses Legal Counsel
Eric defends clients regarding traffic violations of every type — especially those involving DWI and other drinking and driving violations.
Lawyer Fighting Traffic Charges Throughout Louisiana
Often seemingly small traffic violations can have significant consequences. A truck driver, for example, may have his or her commercial driver’s license (CDL) suspended and be out of a job due to traffic violations. This may also result in a loss of livelihood.
Traffic violations result in insurance rate hikes. Ignoring a series of traffic violation charges or driving without a license eventually results in arrest. Eric Johnson takes these matters seriously and defends drivers throughout Louisiana, and he frequently defends out-of-state truck drivers arrested on our interstate highways who are unaware of certain Louisiana provisions.
Reckless Driving in Louisiana
Although there is no official point system in Louisiana, traffic violations are taken very seriously by the courts. Some traffic offenses can even open up a criminal record. Reckless driving is any driving behavior that puts other people and property at risk.
A charge of reckless driving in Louisiana can lead to a traffic ticket plus a misdemeanor criminal charge. If you have never before been arrested, you could wind up in jail over driving behavior that stands to endanger those around you. Criminal defense attorney Eric G. Johnson of The John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm defends traffic violations like reckless driving in Louisiana to help you avoid the maximum penalties.
What is Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is the operation of any motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, or other means of transportation, in a criminally negligent and reckless manner. To be convicted, the State of Louisiana must show that you operated a vehicle with disregard to the safety of others and their property. It is not necessary to prove intent, but the prosecution must be able to determine that you were aware of your unsafe driving behavior and drove recklessly anyway
Is Speeding Considered “Reckless Driving” in Louisiana?
Speeding by itself is generally not a serious enough traffic violation to constitute a charge of reckless driving; however, if you were speeding at an unusually high rate of speed it could land you a reckless driving charge. Several factors may be considered about your surroundings while you were speeding to determine whether your high rate of speed merits a charge of reckless driving. These may include the width and surface of the road upon which you were speeding, whether there was significant traffic flow, the time of day, visibility factors, and the presence of pedestrians.
For example, if you run past several stop signs and red lights while speeding in a busy area with heavy congestion and foot traffic, your speeding could double as reckless driving. Additionally, speeding may be combined with other traffic offenses to elevate the charge.
What are the Penalties for Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense that can cause you to lose your license in addition to other penalties. Your first reckless driving offense carries up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $200, or both. A second or subsequent offense can lead to not less than $25 but not more than $500 in fines, jail for not less than ten days but not more than six months, or both fines and jail time. These are serious penalties that can uproot the course of your life as you know it. Do not accept these without a reliable defense attorney on your side.
Call The John D. and Eric G. Johnson Law Firm at 318-377-1555 to fight your reckless driving charge. For over 24 years, attorney Eric Johnson works tirelessly to reduce or eliminate the misdemeanor and felony charges his clients face. With Eric on your side, it may be possible to avoid the most serious outcome to your case. Contact us to set up a free consultation.
Sometimes traffic arrests lead to even greater complications. For instance, a traffic stop may provide law enforcement officers an excuse to search the vehicle, leading to discovery of weapons or drugs. Eric’s criminal defense experience is invaluable under such circumstances. He knows how to challenge unlawful searches and how to have charges dismissed by prosecutors and judges.