What Is Reckless Driving in California? – CVC 23103
Under California Vehicle Code section 23103, it is unlawful to drive a vehicle in a manner that shows willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. You can be charged with reckless driving in California for driving recklessly on public roads or parking facilities. Often times, a reckless driving charge is coupled with other crimes stemming from the same incident.
Reckless Driving Charges
To convict you of reckless driving in California, the prosecution will have to prove:
• You drove a vehicle on a highway or in an off-street or parking facility; AND
• You intentionally drove with wanton disregard for other people and their safety
You act with “wanton disregard” when you are aware that your actions present a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm and you intentionally ignore that risk. Even if you did not intend to cause injury or harm, you can still be convicted of reckless driving.
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to five to 90 days and/or by a fine from $145 to $1,000. If you are hoping to get your reckless driving charges reduced, you need a competent criminal defense attorney to argue vigorously on your behalf.
A conviction for reckless driving will result in two points being added to your driving record. You do not want points on your driving record. Too many points can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license and your automobile insurance may be cancelled or the premium increased.
California Reckless Driving Attorney
At Wallin and Klarich we have been successfully raising legal defenses to reckless driving charges for over thirty years. We have been able to have criminal charges dismissed for our clients and in other cases had the charges reduced to a simple infraction. The ability to do this will depend on your case.
You don’t have to go through the complicated criminal process alone. Let a California reckless driving attorney from Wallin & Klarich guide you through this complex criminal process.
You will feel comforted and reassured knowing that someone is fighting on your behalf. You deserve to have you legal rights protected. Let us make this difficult time a little bit easier for you and your family.
Call Wallin and Klarich today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 and ask to speak with one of our highly skilled reckless driving defense lawyers. We will be there when you call.
I recently received a call from the CHP stating he was investigating a reckless driving matter on our neighborhood street.
He seemed to imply that he had many witnesses that I sped up and down the street from 30-35 MPH. The complaints were from other residents that have small children who use a very steep hill as a skateboard park.
The street here is a “U” shape with blind corners at the bottom of each side of the hills. It is impossible to drive 18MPH around the corners where we live at the bottom. The officer did not see me do this but asked what I thought should be the speed when small children are in the street. I told him it depends on the situation for which he had no situation. There has been a long standing issue about the juveniles blocking traffic while using the “Skateboard park” and neighbors with kid are probably upset with me being against their kids creating traffic hazards. I feel like the questions the officer was asking will result in a reckless driving charge as I denied all of his allegations. However, he stated I could send him anything which would prove my innocence. Would this be charged as an infraction or a misdemeanor if it happens? I have made many complaints to the CHP about not enforcing the traffic hazard statutes here and this may be a retaliatory measure by them.
It is very troubling. Can they charge me in absentia with such by irate resident complaints that have juveniles? I have never received any warning about this from any law enforcement since moving in here 5 years ago. I just drive up and down the street to carry out my and our business
Hi Tom,
Thank you for visiting wklaw.com to ask this question. We can help you with this issue. Please call our offices at (877) 466-5245 so we can discuss your case.
Thank you