Negligent Driving Second Degree Traffic Ticket
Negligent Driving in the second degree is the most serious traffic infraction you can receive. This is not a citation you want to take lightly. A committed finding will leave a terrible blemish on your record and will impact your insurance rates, and possibly much worse!
There are two types of Negligent Driving 2°. The most common is punished by simply a $550 ticket. Negligent driving 2° is when you drive negligent manner and endanger or is likely to endanger persons or property. This charge is very similar to the criminal charge of reckless driving and often the line differentiating the two is very fine.
The second type of Negligent Driving 2° is when there is a vulnerable victim. This charge is still an infraction but an extremely severe one. This cited when the negligent driving is the proximate cause of a death or serious bodily injury to a vulnerable victim. A “vulnerable” victim includes a pedestrian, a bicyclist, and a motorcyclist. A committed finding for this infraction can result in up to a 90 day license suspension and a $5,000 fine!
Not only is important to get an Olympia traffic attorney to fight this charge, but it is also important to get the attorney as soon as possible. There are certain deadlines regarding this statute that are especially time sensitive. It is important that you have an attorney immediately to give you the best chance possible to reach a better resolution.
Lastly, if you have been charged with Negligent Driving 1°, then you are facing a criminal misdemeanor charge. This means the maximum penalty you can receive for a conviction is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. It is never a good idea to represent yourself on a criminal charge. If you are facing this or any other criminal charge, it is important to consult an attorney immediately. Our Thurston County Negligent Driving traffic lawyers are here and available for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Our Olympia criminal lawyers serve all of Thurston County. Call now for help and real answers.