Buffalo Reckless Driving Attorney
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DWI Charge Reduced
A Canadian resident was charged with a DWI after a Bills game. Arthur convinced the court the test reading was wrong and got the charge reduced, sparing the client a criminal charge.
DWI Case Dismissed
After a woman was charged at a DWI checkpoint, Arthur contested the legality of the roadblock and found procedures weren't properly followed. The DWI charges were dismissed and her license restored.
DWI Charge Reduced
A Buffalo woman was charged with a DWI and blew a 0.23 BAC. Arthur took the case to trial and was successful in keeping the breath test reading from being introduced as evidence. Her charge was reduced to a DWAI.
Arthur Pressman focuses in the areas of DWI, traffic law and criminal defense.
Arthur is a 1982 graduate of the State University of New York at Albany. He earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1985 and practiced with the law firm of Heller & Rubin in Miami, Florida from 1986 to 1988. In 1988, Arthur relocated to Buffalo, where he opened his own practice where he has continued to defend those accused of crimes in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York area.


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View the guideProviding Strong Defense Against Reckless Driving Charges in New York
Experience and tenacity is what you need to resolve your reckless driving charges. We provide both.
Reckless driving is a criminal charge that carries stiff penalties. At the Buffalo office of Arthur L. Pressman, Attorney at Law, you can trust us to handle your case effectively and thoroughly. With more than 30 years of experience handling a variety of traffic violation cases throughout New York State, our proficient law firm aggressively prepares a defense to provide you with the best possible outcome.
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Reckless driving is an unclassified misdemeanor offense in New York State, and, if convicted, you can face the following penalties:
- Up to five points on your driver license.
- A possible increase in your auto insurance.
- A criminal record.
What are the penalties for reckless driving?
Reckless driving is a serious charge that results in a criminal record if convicted. A conviction for reckless driving results in five points on your driving record, which significantly increases your insurance premiums. You may also receive fines of $100–$300, plus a fee of $70 for first-time offenders. In New York, your driving privileges may be suspended if you receive 11 points in an 18-month time frame.
What constitutes reckless driving in New York State?
Reckless driving is rather subjective and serves as a catch-all for many different driving infractions such as the following:
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Because reckless driving is considered a criminal offense in New York, many district attorneys require a court appearance and do not allow you to handle the offense via mail. This makes fighting the charge even more challenging. Judges are generally less flexible when negotiating a criminal reckless driving case, which is why you need an aggressive criminal defense lawyer to represent you.
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Don’t face the judge alone. Let me be your ticket to justice.
Hiring dedicated Buffalo traffic violation lawyer Arthur L. Pressman affords you aggressive representation to reduce or dismiss your reckless driving charge in New York. Our law office tenaciously fights to:
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Representation to defend this serious charge
Reckless driving in New York State can result in very serious repercussions. Don’t face this criminal offense without experienced legal representation by your side. Contact the law office of Arthur L. Pressman, Attorney at Law at (716) 517-4250 or online. For your convenience, our office is located on the subway line in downtown Buffalo. We also offer a free initial phone consultation seven days a week. In addition, we make it easy for our clients to pay attorney’s fees online through our online payment system. Our law office serves clients throughout New York State. If you or a loved one has been charged with a traffic violation, please contact our office for dedicated representation. Let me be your ticket to justice.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Reckless Driving in New York
In New York, reckless driving is defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) Section 1212. The law states that reckless driving is operating a vehicle in a manner which ‘unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway, or unreasonably endangers users of the public highway.’ This is a broad definition that allows police to charge drivers for a wide range of dangerous behaviors, such as speeding well in excess of the limit, drag racing, or weaving in and out of traffic.
Yes, unlike a speeding ticket or other traffic infractions, a reckless driving charge is a criminal offense classified as a misdemeanor in New York State. This means a conviction will result in a permanent criminal record, which can have long-lasting effects on your employment, insurance rates, and other aspects of your life. This is why it is so important to treat a reckless driving charge as a serious criminal matter.
A first-time conviction for reckless driving in New York can result in a fine of up to $300, up to 30 days in jail, and 5 points on your driver’s license. The court may also impose a license suspension. A conviction will also result in a permanent criminal record, which can be difficult to remove and can impact your future.
Reckless driving is a more serious charge than a speeding ticket. While speeding is a traffic infraction, reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor. A reckless driving charge requires a prosecutor to prove that your driving endangered other people on the road, while a speeding ticket only requires proof that you were exceeding the posted speed limit. A reckless driving conviction carries more severe penalties, including potential jail time and a criminal record.
Yes, an experienced lawyer can work to get your reckless driving charge reduced to a lesser traffic infraction or, in some cases, dismissed entirely. A lawyer can challenge the prosecution’s evidence, negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea bargain, or argue in court that your driving did not meet the legal definition of reckless. The goal is to avoid a criminal record and minimize the points on your license.
Yes, a conviction for reckless driving can lead to a court-ordered license suspension. Additionally, accumulating 11 or more points on your license within an 18-month period can also result in a suspension. A reckless driving conviction carries 5 points, so it can contribute significantly to a license suspension, especially if you have other violations on your record.
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