Traffic Violations

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving under VTL §1212 is a New York misdemeanor — a criminal charge, not a routine ticket — carrying 5 points, possible jail, and a permanent record. We defend reckless driving cases in TVB and criminal courts across NYC and the surrounding counties.

Review My Ticket Call 718-521-4909

Overview

What you need to know about Reckless Driving.

The basics, what we do, and the issues we see most.

Is reckless driving a crime in New York, and how many points is it?

Quick Answer

Reckless driving under VTL §1212 is a misdemeanor crime — not just a traffic ticket — and a conviction adds 5 points to your New York driving record. A first conviction carries up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $300, plus a mandatory state surcharge. A second offense within 18 months rises to $525 and up to 90 days; a third reaches $1,125 and up to 180 days. Because it is a misdemeanor, a conviction leaves a permanent criminal record. Separately, the DMV may suspend your license once you reach 11 points within 24 months.

Services we offer for Reckless Driving.

A reckless driving charge moves on two tracks at once — criminal exposure and DMV points. We work both. Here is what handling your §1212 case involves:

Reviewing the accusatory instrument, the officer's notes, and any dashcam or bodycam to see whether the alleged conduct legally qualifies as "reckless" under VTL §1212
Appearing for you in the correct forum — DMV TVB for NYC stops, or a town, village, or city criminal court upstate and in the suburbs — so you can often avoid taking the day off
Cross-examining the issuing officer on what they actually saw, the road and traffic conditions, and how they measured your speed or maneuver
Negotiating, where the facts support it, toward a non-criminal disposition such as a lesser moving violation that keeps a misdemeanor off your record
Working to reduce the 5-point exposure and steer you clear of the 11-point suspension and 6-point Driver Responsibility Assessment thresholds
Advising non-citizens, CDL holders, and licensed professionals on the collateral consequences a misdemeanor can trigger before you decide how to plead
Handling any related charges issued on the same stop — speeding, following too closely, or unsafe lane changes — as a single coordinated defense

Scenarios we see most.

Officers charge reckless driving for a range of conduct — weaving through traffic, excessive speed, passing on the shoulder, or street racing — and the label is the officer's judgment call, not an automatic result of any one act
Many drivers don't realize §1212 is a misdemeanor and treat the ticket like an infraction, accidentally pleading guilty to a criminal charge they could have contested
A 5-point reckless conviction combined with a speeding ticket from the same stop can push you toward the 11-point (24-month) suspension line in a single incident
A misdemeanor conviction is permanent and surfaces on employment, housing, and licensing background checks long after the fines are paid
Non-citizens can face immigration consequences from a criminal conviction that a comparable traffic infraction would not carry
CDL holders risk their commercial driving privileges and livelihood from a reckless driving conviction
Reckless driving is sometimes confused with the separate camera-issued speed/red-light tickets, which are civil, owner-liable, and carry 0 points — a §1212 charge is the opposite of that

Who we help

Who we represent.

Every case handled directly by the attorney you speak with at intake.

Everyday Drivers

Speeding and moving violations that add points and raise insurance costs.

Commercial (CDL) Drivers

Violations that can threaten a commercial license and a driver’s livelihood.

Suspended or Revoked Licenses

Aggravated unlicensed operation, reinstatement, and accumulated points.

Out-of-Area Drivers

Tickets received while traveling through NYC, Long Island, or Upstate New York.

How we handle your case

From summons to resolution.

The same attorney handles your matter from intake through hearing and closeout.

1
Step 1 of 5
Free consultation and ticket review
2
Step 2 of 5
Obtain the charge paperwork and officer notes
3
Step 3 of 5
Assess whether the conduct meets the §1212 "reckless" standard
4
Step 4 of 5
Appear in TVB or criminal court and cross-examine the officer
5
Step 5 of 5
Negotiate toward a reduced or non-criminal disposition

Frequently asked

Questions clients ask first.

Direct answers from the attorney who handles these matters.

Most asked

What's the difference between reckless driving and a speeding ticket?

A speeding ticket is a traffic infraction — a fine and points (for example, 3 points for 1-10 mph over, up to 11 points for more than 40 mph over). Reckless driving under VTL §1212 is a misdemeanor crime that adds 5 points and can also bring jail time, a fine up to $300 on a first offense, and a permanent criminal record. The reckless charge is about how you drove, not just how fast.

Question 2

Can a reckless driving charge be reduced to a non-criminal violation?

It sometimes can, depending on the facts, your record, and the forum. Because §1212 is broadly worded and rests on the officer's observations, there is often room to challenge whether the conduct legally qualifies as reckless and to negotiate toward a lesser, non-criminal moving violation. We review the evidence and tell you honestly what the case looks like — but we do not guarantee any specific outcome.

Question 3

Will I have to go to court in person?

Often not. For tickets issued in New York City, reckless driving cases run through the DMV Traffic Violations Bureau, and we can appear and handle hearings on your behalf in many situations. Outside the city, the case sits in a town, village, or city criminal court; we appear for you where the law allows, so you can frequently avoid missing work.

Resources

Helpful tools & references

Free, official resources from The Law Office of Anthony Sharnov — look up your situation before you call.

NY Court & DA Directory

Find the traffic court, criminal court, and District Attorney for any New York county — with official contact info.

Traffic Points Calculator

Estimate the DMV points a ticket adds to your license, and search the Vehicle & Traffic Law.

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Penal Law Lookup

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Legal Articles & Guides

Plain-language guides on traffic tickets, criminal charges, points, and summonses across New York.

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Free case review

Charged with reckless driving in New York?

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor — handle it like the criminal charge it is. Call 917-476-7666 for a free consultation with The Law Office of Anthony Sharnov, PC, and we'll review your VTL §1212 ticket and explain your options.