North Carolina Reckless Driving Attorney
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The blue lights in your mirror turned an ordinary drive into a court date. A reckless driving charge in North Carolina often follows a stop for high speed, aggressive driving, or a maneuver an officer read as dangerous. Now you are holding a citation with a date on it and a set of questions about what happens next.
Reckless driving is not a routine traffic ticket. It is a criminal misdemeanor under North Carolina law, and a conviction becomes part of your record. That record can follow you into license points, higher insurance costs, and background checks run by employers.
The defense team at Leitner, Bragg & Griffin includes former Union County prosecutors who tried criminal and traffic cases from the other side of the courtroom. A North Carolina reckless driving lawyer who has built these cases for the State knows where the proof tends to be weak, and we use that view to challenge the stop, test the evidence behind the charge, and pursue a reduction or dismissal for drivers across the Charlotte area and the Triangle.
Why Choose Leitner, Bragg & Griffin for Your North Carolina Reckless Driving Case
A reckless driving case depends on the quality of the State’s evidence and how closely the defense examines it. Our attorneys have worked both sides of that evidence, first as Union County prosecutors and now as the defense team reading it for weaknesses. We bring that perspective to drivers charged across the Charlotte area, Union County, and the Triangle.
Former Prosecutors Who Know How These Cases Are Tried
Two of our attorneys prosecuted criminal offenses and traffic cases before they defended them. Tee Leitner, a Managing Partner and former Union County Assistant District Attorney, has tried well over 50 jury trials in his career. Thomas Clark served two terms as an Assistant District Attorney in the Union County District Attorney’s Office before joining our firm.
That background means we know how the State decides which reckless driving cases to push and which to reduce. We read the citation, the officer’s notes, and the evidence the way the prosecution does, and we use that to argue for a lesser charge or a dismissal.
Tim Cannady, a partner, focuses his practice on criminal defense, driving while impaired, and traffic violations. He has been elected by his peers to the NC Business Journal’s Legal Elite and named a Super Lawyers Rising Star.
Local Knowledge of Union, Mecklhttp://trafficenburg, and Wake County Courts
Reckless driving cases are heard in district court in the county where the stop happened. Our managing partners grew up in Union County and returned home to build the firm there, and we appear in the district courts of Union County, Mecklenburg County, and Wake County from our offices in Monroe, Charlotte, and Raleigh. That standing in the local courts, with their prosecutors and their procedures, helps us anticipate how your case is likely to be handled and where an opening for a reduction may exist.
Traffic Violation Defense Attorneys
Client Testimonials
“Hands down this law firm is the complete package! Each attorney is skilled in their own area of law and when matters cross into another attorney’s expertise, they are quick to team up for the best strategy for their clients. I could not have been more satisfied working with Jordan and Tee. When things got tough, these two never lost control and provided me a reasonable outcome and then they delivered. If you need a humble, but strong attorney for a matter, this is the only option in Monroe if you want the best! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FIRM FOR ANY CIVIL OR CRIMINAL NEEDS!!!!” — J.T.
“Tee is an amazing lawyer! He’s handled all of my legal matters both personal and professional. Couldn’t possibly ask for better legal counsel. Definitely recommend!!! 10/10” — B.M.
“Tim was a great lawyer and very knowledgeable. We could not have gone to court without him. He knows the law and will fight for your rights. He is a 5 star lawyer that cares about you and following the law. I’d recommend him to anyone that needs a lawyer and use him again if I ever needed him for me or my family you will not regret it. Thank god we had a lawyer like Tim that knew the law and cared enough to fight for my son’s rights.” — D.F.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in North Carolina?
Reckless driving in North Carolina is a criminal offense that turns on how a vehicle was driven, not simply how fast. A stop often starts like a speeding stop, but the charge that follows is different, and the State pursues it through its criminal defense docket rather than as a simple traffic ticket.
North Carolina law defines reckless driving two ways under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140. The first is driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others. The second is driving without due caution and circumspection, at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property. Because the statute reaches the manner of driving, an officer can charge reckless driving even when no speeding ticket is written.
In practice, several kinds of driving can lead to a reckless driving charge:
- Excessive speed, especially well above the limit or too fast for conditions
- Street racing or speed competitions on a public road
- Weaving through traffic or passing other cars dangerously
- Tailgating and other aggressive following
- Running red lights or stop signs in a way that endangers others
These examples share a common thread, which is conduct a court could treat as a disregard for safety rather than a simple mistake. Reckless driving is one of the more serious traffic violations in North Carolina, and it is charged separately from impaired driving, which the State handles as a DWI charge under a different law.
What Are the Penalties for a Reckless Driving Conviction in North Carolina?
After a reckless driving charge, the first question is usually how bad this can get. The answer depends on the driving itself and whether anyone was hurt.
Reckless driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina. A conviction can carry up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, depending on your prior record and the judge’s discretion. The offense level rises with the consequences:
- Class 2 misdemeanor: The standard charge when the driving does not cause serious injury.
- Class 1 misdemeanor: Applies when the reckless driving causes serious injury, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140(g).
- Class A1 misdemeanor: Applies when the reckless driving causes serious bodily injury as defined in G.S. 14-32.4, under § 20-140(h).
Each level is a criminal charge, not an infraction, so a conviction leaves a misdemeanor on your record. That record can surface in background checks long after any fine is paid.
How Does a Reckless Driving Charge Affect Your License and Insurance?
A reckless driving conviction affects your license and your insurance through two separate point systems, and for many drivers those consequences matter as much as the court outcome.
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles assigns driver-license points, and a reckless driving conviction adds points to your driving record. Accumulating enough points over time can put your license at risk, especially when a reckless driving conviction sits alongside other violations.
Insurance carriers use a separate system called the Safe Driver Incentive Plan, which assigns its own points and can raise your premium after a conviction. Because the two systems are separate, a single conviction can affect both your standing with the Division of Motor Vehicles and what you pay for coverage. The conviction also stays on your driving record, where it remains visible to insurers and, in some cases, employers.
How a North Carolina Reckless Driving Charge Can Be Reduced or Dismissed
A reckless driving charge does not always lead to a conviction. Depending on the facts and the evidence, it may be reduced, resolved through a plea option, or challenged outright.
The difference from a speeding ticket is what makes pursuing a reduction worth it. A speeding ticket is usually an infraction that ends with a fine, and reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor that can end with a record.
One path is a negotiated reduction to a less serious offense such as improper equipment or unsafe movement. Both are infractions rather than misdemeanors, so they carry fewer license and insurance points and leave no criminal conviction on your record. Another path is a Prayer for Judgment Continued, a plea that asks the court to continue judgment rather than enter a conviction. It is not a dismissal and is not available on request, and its use is limited by statute and by court discretion.
The defenses available depend on how the stop and the evidence hold up:
- Challenging the radar reading or the officer’s pace measurement
- Showing that the driving was ordinary negligence rather than the willful or wanton conduct the statute requires
- Raising a necessity or emergency that explains the driving
- Testing whether the State can prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt
We review the citation, the officer’s account, and any dashcam evidence before deciding which of these to pursue.
What to Do After a Reckless Driving Charge in North Carolina
After the initial shock of the charge, the next step is deciding what to do before your court date. A few actions can put you in a stronger position.
- Note your court date and plan to appear since missing it can lead to added charges.
- Keep the citation and write down what you remember about the stop while it is fresh.
- Gather any dashcam footage, photos, or witness contacts that show what happened.
- Request a copy of your driving record so you know what the court will see.
- Speak with a defense attorney before your first court date.
Reckless driving is not a waivable offense. Unlike a simple speeding ticket, you cannot resolve it by paying online or by mail, and you are required to attend the scheduled court date even if you intend to plead guilty. Missing that date can add charges and prompt a warrant for your arrest.
This situation is where a reckless driving lawyer can make a practical difference. In many administrative cases, we can appear in court for you so you do not have to miss work. The court may still require your presence for a trial or a final disposition, and we tell you plainly when that applies to your case. From there, we review the stop and the evidence behind the charge, negotiate with the district attorney, and work toward a reduction or dismissal. Taking that step early gives your attorney time to gather evidence and shape the strongest available defense before your court date.
Start Your Defense Against a North Carolina Reckless Driving Charge
A reckless driving conviction can mean a criminal record, points against your license, and higher insurance costs. The court date on your citation is coming, and the evidence around your stop is easier to address early while records and details are still available.
We review the charge and the traffic stop behind it, appear in court where the setting allows, and work toward a reduction or dismissal. To talk through your options, call our office or schedule a consultation. You can reach us by phone around the clock, including outside regular office hours.
For matters in Monroe, Charlotte, and the greater Charlotte area, call 704-271-9805. For matters in Raleigh and the Triangle, call 919-352-9140. You can also reach us through our contact page.
Written By Tee Leitner
Tee Leitner received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his Juris Doctrate Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Tee spent time in Private Practice and at the Union County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. Tee founded Leitner Bragg and Griffin in 2016.
