Festus, MO Reckless Driving Defense Attorneys Helping You Get Out of Tickets

Missouri’s driving laws are designed to keep all road users safe. That’s why, when you’re caught driving recklessly on the roads and highways of Missouri, the police could charge you with careless and imprudent driving.

All drivers in Missouri are required to drive in a “careful and prudent manner.” That means you shouldn’t be driving at dangerous high speeds or in a way that could endanger the lives of other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

If you have been charged with careless and imprudent driving, now is the time to contact experienced C&I lawyers in Jefferson County, MO, like Grafe & Batchelor Attorneys at Law to help with your case.

Grafe & Batchelor are skilled C&I lawyers in Festus, MO, who are anxious to help you try to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Contact us today at 636-933-9151 to schedule a free consultation and start the process of fighting your C&I charge.

What is Considered Imprudent and careless Driving in Missouri?

The state of Missouri expects that all driving must be done with the “highest degree of care.” Otherwise, you can face harsh consequences. Drivers in their teens and 20s tend to make up the bulk of these tickets.

Understanding what constitutes careless and imprudent driving is important in preventing these charges and defending yourself when a charge has been made. If you have been charged, one or more of these things has generally happened:

• Driving at 5-20 mph over the speed limit (or driving over 80 mph)
• Car racing on the streets
• Drag racing
• Weaving in between cars at high speeds exceeding the recommended speed limits
• Driving in an unsafe manner

To avoid being cited for C&I, you need to pay attention to the various speed limits on Missouri’s roads. Examples include:

• 60 mph on urban and city-dwelling roads in Missouri
• 70 mph on rural interstate roads or freeways. The latter are typically limited access roads, which means that access from highways or other roads of similar grades are nonexistent.
• Urban interstate highways and freeways limit is 65 mph
• 60 mph on rural expressways
• 65 mph on urban expressways
• 60 mph on other roads within the state

One example of a driving activity that can result in a C&I charge in Jefferson County, MO, is weaving in-between traffic, even if you don’t cause an accident.

Drag racing when the traffic light turns from red to green is another popular cause of careless and imprudent driving charges in Festus, MO.

What are the Penalties for Reckless Driving in Missouri?

The penalties largely depend on a few key circumstances and the situations surrounding them. As a very general rule, the below listed penalties could apply:

• Driving 5 mph or less over the limit is a Class C misdemeanor and attracts a maximum fine of $200
• First-time offenders without any accidents will pay a fine of $1,000
• C&I driving is usually a Class B misdemeanor that attracts a 6-month jail term and a fine of up to $1000 if you drive 20 mph over the speed limit
• Careless and imprudent driving resulting in an accident is a Class A misdemeanor and attracts a prison term of up to 1 year and/or a maximum $2,000 fine
• 4 points added to your driving license if it’s charged as a state law violation
• 2 points added to your driving license is charged as a municipal law violation

How Can You Fight a Careless Driving Ticket in Missouri?

If your careless and imprudent driving act resulted in an accident, then you may be looking at a serious charge. You need a C&I lawyer in Jefferson County, MO, who understands how to handle these types of cases.

It’s even more important to find a reliable criminal defense attorney if you’ve been charged with other offenses in addition to the careless and imprudent driving charge. At Grafe & Batchelor Attorneys at Law, our firm is dedicated to handling C&I tickets as well as other traffic charges.

We have over 30 years of experience helping clients get their charges dismissed or getting them lowered to less severe ones. Let us try to help you do the same today. Call us at 636-933-9151 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case.