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How long can you go to jail for reckless driving?
I recently received a reckless driving charge for going way over the speed limit in my hometown. The officer who stopped me told me that I could face possible jail time, and now I’m scared. What is the penalty for reckless driving?
Kevin Martinez · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Getting any type of violation can be frustrating and nerve-racking all at once. I’m happy to help clear a few things up.
The penalties for driving violations vary from state to state, so how long you can go to jail for reckless driving depends on where you were when you were pulled over.
To some degree, local laws dictate what constitutes reckless driving. But it is also up to the discretion of the police officer. The specific consequences you face will depend on the severity of your reckless behavior and your prior driving history.
For first-time offenders, common consequences include:
- Imprisonment between 5–90 days
- Loss of license
- Fines ranging from $50–$1,000
Repeat offenders and reckless drivers who injure or kill another person will face even harsher penalties.
Check with your local DMV, a traffic lawyer, or the judge to learn more about how your state handles reckless drivers. And you may want to consider hiring an attorney to represent you in court in order to get your charges reduced or dropped altogether.
Driving safely is so important—and so is carrying the right car insurance. But with marks on your record, insurance can be expensive.
Jerry
can help you avoid overpaying.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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