We often have clients that confuse reckless driving and careless driving. The charges sound similar and legally are very similar. The primary difference is a Lake County careless driving is a civil traffic infraction punishable by up to a $500 fine. Lake County reckless driving is a criminal traffic offense punishable by up to a $500 fine, 6 months probation and 90 days in jail. Careless driving is much more common with 2,464 Lake County cases in 2012 compared to 84 Lake County reckless driving cases. Both charges require the endangerment of person or property with the primary difference being that careless driving can be proven by negligence and reckless driving requires that the state prove the actions were willful. A Lake County careless driving case cannot end in an arrest unless some other crime occurs. It is a common cause of police contact for a Lake County suspended license arrest and if the driver does not stay to exchange information the careless driving can result in a Lake County leaving the scene of an accident arrest. Careless driving cases have many defenses and a high percentage of these cases are dismissed at traffic hearings. Of the 622 careless driving cases that went to a hearing in Lake County 224 were either dismissed or found not guilty. Another 78 cases resulted in a withhold of adjudication at hearing. Attorney Kevin J. Pitts is a former Florida prosecutor that has extensive experience not only defending traffic cases but also prosecuting them for the State Attorney's office. Criminal traffic cases can have serious consequences in Lake County including jail and probation. Civil traffic infractions can dramatically increase insurance rates and place points on your license that can cause a license suspension. When your license and freedom are on the line you need a defense attorney on your side. If you are accused of a traffic offense in Lake County, Florida contact attorney Kevin J. Pitts to set up a free initial consultation. Attorney Kevin J. Pitts can be reached at 407-883-6853 or 386-451-5112. Mr. Pitts handles all types of traffic violations in Central Florida from speeding tickets to serious felony traffic offenses.
According
to an article by Desiree Stennett of the Orlando Sentinel an Osceola
County bus driver was accused of careless driving in Osceola County after an
accident involving his bus and a school bus. The incident occurred on 9/6/2013.
The citation was challenged at an infraction hearing and the case was dismissed
on 12/19/2013. I did not personally handle this case and the information was
obtained from the Osceola County Clerk's website. If you have been accused of
careless driving or reckless driving it is always a good idea to hire an
attorney. Many Osceola County reckless driving cases are overcharged by an officer that is offended by
driving. If an accident occurs a careless driving citation is almost a reflex
for the officer on scene. Reckless driving and careless driving cases have
specific elements that must be established for a conviction. If you are accused
of a careless driving case or a reckless driving case in Osceola County contact
attorney Kevin J. Pitts to set up a free consultation at 407-268-3688.
