Careless Driving and Reckless Driving Defense FAQ

Both careless driving and reckless driving are serious offenses that will add points to your record and threaten your driving rights. I’m an experienced traffic ticket defense attorney in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and surrounding South Florida communities, and I’ve successfully defended clients against these charges. Call me for a free consultation at 855.352-8425 or use the convenient contact form on this page.

Question: What is the difference between careless driving and reckless driving in Fort Lauderdale?

Answer: Anywhere in Florida, reckless driving is a much more serious charge than careless driving, but neither should be treated lightly.

Careless driving is a non-criminal offense punishable by points on your license, fines and court costs. Florida reckless driving charges are criminal charges that include higher costs and possible jail time. A State Attorney prosecutes reckless driving cases before a County Court Judge.

Question: How many points is careless driving? What about reckless driving?

Answer: A careless driving conviction will add 3 points to your record. Being convicted of reckless driving will add 4 points to your record. Either offense might be combined with additional charges such as speeding, failure to yield or stop sign/traffic light violations which will include additional points.

Keep in mind that getting 12 points on your record in any 12-month period (not calendar year) will result in a 30-day suspension of your license. Receiving 18 points in an 18-month period is a 90-day suspension of your license, and 24 points in 36 months is a suspension of 1 year.

When charges are combined, and 6 or more points are added to your record, you have little room for error after that. Violations as simple as following too closely (3 points) or rolling through a stop sign (3 points) can put you over the limit and lead to a license suspension.

Question: I’ve been charged with reckless driving in Miami. What should I do to avoid points?

Answer: Again, the law is the same throughout Florida, so it doesn’t matter where you are ticketed for reckless driving. Do not pay the fine, as that would be an admission of guilt which would result in points on your record.

Call me for a free consultation. I have been a traffic ticket defense attorney since 1997, so I have the experience to develop a successful strategy for fighting the charges.

Question: I need a traffic defense lawyer in Coral Springs. I was in a minor accident which might have been my fault. The police officer said I was speeding too, so gave me tickets for speeding and careless driving. What is the best careless driving defense?

Answer: It depends on the facts of your specific situation, which I will work to determine from your story and from the notes of the police officer. One approach might be to fight the speeding ticket, and there are many approaches to speeding ticket defense that can be successful, depending on the circumstances. If the speeding ticket is dismissed, the careless driving ticket might be dismissed too.

Question: How much does it cost to hire a traffic ticket defense attorney in Miami?

Answer: I work throughout South Florida. The consultation is free, and traffic ticket defense fees are very competitive.

Thank you for taking the time to visit this site to learn more about my work as a traffic ticket defense attorney in Broward County and Miami-Dade County. I have broad experience in both civil and criminal traffic violation cases.

I’m available today for a free consultation.

• Use the quick form on this page, and I will promptly reply
• Call toll free 855.352.8425 or one of the many local numbers listed at the bottom of this page

Russell D. Bernstein, Esq.

Attorney at Law representing clients in Coral Springs, Hallandale, North Miami, Miami, Weston, Boca Raton, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale and neighboring communities.