Criminal Traffic Violations
If you are accused of breaking the rules of the road, you could be facing more than just a traffic ticket. Many traffic offenses are misdemeanors or even felonies. A conviction for a criminal traffic related offense could affect your employment and put points on your DMV record that raise your insurance rates. The Law Office of Amy Chapman has the experience and knowledge to represent you in a wide variety of traffic related offenses.
Please note: I do not handle traffic tickets, I only handle misdemeanor and felony criminal charges.
Reckless driving
If you drive a vehicle on a road with conscious disregard for the safety of persons or property, you could be guilty of reckless driving. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in county jail. If you drive recklessly and hurt someone else, you could face anywhere from 30 days to 180 days in county jail. If your reckless driving causes great bodily injury to someone else and you have previously been convicted of reckless driving, exhibition of speed, or a DUI, you could be charged with a felony. A conviction for reckless driving will put two points on your DMV record which will raise your insurance rates. If you already have points on your DMV record you could have your driver’s license suspended.
Hit and run
If you are involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damage to any other vehicle or property, you must stop, locate the owner of the property, and exchange information. You must stop even if the accident is not your fault. Failure to do so is a violation of California Vehicle Code section 20002(a), commonly known as “hit and run.” This offense is punishable by up to six months in jail and will put two points on your DMV record. If you leave an accident where a person is injured, you can face felony hit and run charges.
Evading a police officer
Failing to yield to a marked police vehicle with sirens on is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail. This conviction will also be one point on your DMV record. If you attempt to evade a police officer by driving recklessly, you could be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. Both are punishable by a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jail and up to three years in state prison as a felony. Recklessly evading a police officer is a two point offense on your DMV record.
Driving on a suspended license
Driving while your privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended or revoked can be an infraction or a misdemeanor. Even if you have never been issued a driver’s license, your privilege to drive could still have been revoked (for example, due to a DUI) and you could be charged with driving on a suspended license. The punishment for driving on a suspended license varies depending on the reason for the suspension. The fines are shockingly high and judges will impose jail time in many cases. Prior convictions for driving on a suspended license will result in mandatory jail time and even greater fines. A conviction for driving on a suspended license will put two points on your DMV record, possibly making it harder to get your license reinstated.
Click here to go to the DMV’s website about Vehicle Code violations and points.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Attorney
Criminal traffic violations can be costly now and in the future. Don’t face it alone. Call the Law Office of Amy Chapman at (707) 636-3207 today for a free consultation about your defense or contact the office online.
