Reckless / Careless Driving

Experienced Traffic Ticket Lawyers Serving Ohio

Each year, countless accidents happen across Ohio because of reckless and careless driving. While these offenses may not carry the same weight as DUI charges, the fines and penalties that come with them are still serious. Thousands of people are charged with reckless or careless driving annually, and these charges can significantly impact your ability to drive. If you’re facing these charges, it’s important to speak with a knowledgeable attorney who can help protect your rights.

Why You Should Fight Reckless and Careless Driving Charges

Choosing not to fight these charges can lead to expensive fines, higher insurance costs, and the loss of your driving privileges. Understanding how Ohio handles these cases is the first step in protecting yourself. A Steubenville criminal lawyer can provide the guidance you need to navigate the legal system effectively.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is defined under Ohio law as operating a vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of others. This is considered a serious offense because it assumes intent. The consequences of a conviction can include:

• A six-month suspension of your driver’s license
• A fine of up to $200
• Up to 90 days in jail

If reckless driving results in injury to another person, the penalties become more severe. You could face:

• A fine of up to $1,000
• Up to 90 days of incarceration

In cases where reckless driving causes a fatality, the consequences are even more serious. A conviction could result in:

• Up to 12 months in prison
• A fine of up to $25,000

These penalties highlight why it’s so important to take reckless driving charges seriously. Working with a Steubenville DUI attorney can help you understand your options and build a strong defense.

Careless Driving

Careless driving is generally considered a less severe offense than reckless driving. You may be charged with careless driving if you fail to follow basic safety rules, such as falling asleep behind the wheel or not paying attention to road conditions.

If you are found guilty of careless driving, you can expect:

• Three points added to your driving record
• A fine of $250

If your careless driving results in someone’s death, the fine increases to $500. In both situations, you could also face up to 90 days in jail.

Even though careless driving is treated as a lesser offense, the consequences can still disrupt your life. A Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you fight these charges and work toward a better outcome.

How Logue Law Group Can Assist You

At Logue Law Group, our team of experienced traffic ticket attorneys focuses on defending clients charged with reckless and careless driving. We understand how these charges can affect your life, and we are committed to protecting your rights and driving privileges.

Our lead attorney, Sean Logue, and his team have decades of combined experience defending clients against traffic violations. We have successfully helped countless individuals reduce or dismiss their charges. Our approach involves thorough case preparation, attention to detail, and a commitment to achieving the best possible result for every client.

When you work with a Steubenville DUI attorney from our team, you benefit from our dedication and integrity. We take pride in standing up for our clients in court and ensuring they receive fair treatment under the law.

Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself

Facing reckless or careless driving charges without legal representation is risky. These charges carry serious consequences that can affect your ability to work, drive, and maintain affordable insurance. Representing yourself means navigating complex legal procedures on your own, which can lead to mistakes that hurt your case.

By contacting Logue Law Group as soon as you are arrested or charged, you give yourself the best chance of a favorable outcome. Our attorneys know how to challenge evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and present a strong defense in court. A Steubenville criminal lawyer from our team will guide you through every step of the process.

Learn More About Ohio’s Traffic Violation Laws

If you want to understand more about traffic laws in Ohio, we encourage you to reach out to our team. At Logue Law Group, we offer free initial consultations with our experienced reckless driving lawyers. During this meeting, we’ll review the details of your case and discuss potential defense strategies.

You can contact us online or call us at (844) 748-8384. We are available to assist you anytime, day or night. Our firm proudly serves Steubenville and the surrounding areas in Ohio, as well as West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

For detailed information about traffic violations and their definitions, you can refer to the Ohio Revised Code, which outlines the state’s traffic laws and penalties.

Professional Drivers Face Higher Stakes

If you are a professional driver, the consequences of a traffic violation are even more serious. Your livelihood depends on maintaining a clean driving record, and even a minor infraction can put your career at risk. A Steubenville DUI attorney can help you protect your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and your ability to work.

Understanding the Rules for Commercial Drivers

Traffic violations can result in points on your license, expensive fines, and increased insurance rates. For professional drivers, accumulating too many points can lead to a license suspension, which can be devastating when driving is your job.

Notification Requirements

As a CDL holder in Ohio, you are required to notify your employer and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within 30 days of receiving a traffic violation. This requirement applies whether the violation occurred in Ohio or another state. Failing to report a violation can lead to additional penalties. A Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you understand these obligations.

Penalties for Major Violations

If you are convicted of a major traffic violation for the first time, the Ohio BMV will suspend your CDL for at least one year. Major violations include:

• Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL
• Using a CMV to commit any felony
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV
• Causing damage to an unoccupied vehicle or property with a CMV
• Being involved in an accident with a CMV that results in injury or death
• Operating a CMV while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
• Driving a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04% or higher (which is half the standard legal limit in Ohio)
• Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test

A second major violation could result in a lifetime suspension of your CDL. If you commit any of these offenses while transporting hazardous materials, the penalty for a first offense increases to a three-year CDL revocation. The stakes are incredibly high for professional drivers, which is why it’s essential to work with a Steubenville DUI attorney who understands these laws.

If you are found guilty of two serious violations within a three-year period, your license can be suspended for at least 60 days. Three serious violations in the same timeframe will result in a 120-day suspension.

Out-of-State Violations

If your license is suspended in another state, that information is shared through the National Driver Register, a database that is accessible to your employer and other authorities. This means that if another state suspends your license, Ohio will likely do the same. Even minor offenses committed out of state can impact your driving record. Consulting with a Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you understand how out-of-state violations might affect your CDL.

Why Professional Drivers Need Legal Representation

When you are accused of a traffic violation, having a dedicated and reputable traffic ticket lawyer in Steubenville is crucial. Your attorney will help you determine the best strategy for your case and work tirelessly to protect your rights and interests.

Don’t put your career at risk. If you’ve received a traffic citation, it’s important to call a lawyer immediately. A Steubenville DUI attorney from Logue Law Group can provide the expert representation you need.

For a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer from Logue Law Group, contact us online or call 844.PITT.DUI anytime, day or night.

Logue Law Group proudly serves Steubenville and the surrounding areas in Ohio, as well as West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania.