WHAT IS AGGRAVATED RECKLESS DRIVING?

You were swerving around on the highway trying to get somewhere fast when the accident happened. The other party was seriously injured.  Police came to the scene, and now you are charged with aggravated reckless driving.

What can happen to you? What can you do?

Under Illinois law, you commit reckless driving if you drive any vehicle while willfully or wantonly disregarding the safety of other persons or property.  Your offense is aggravated if it results in  someone else’s great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement.

While reckless driving is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, aggravated reckless driving is a Class 4 felony, which can mean one to four years in prison.

Aggravated reckless driving becomes a Class 3 felony (two to five years in prison) if you caused great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement to a child or a school crossing guard while the guard was performing his or her official duties, is guilty of aggravated reckless driving. Aggravated reckless driving under this subsection (d) is a Class 3 felony.  (Mere bodily harm to a child or crossing guard remains a Class 4 felony.)

If you are charged with aggravated reckless driving or a similar offense, contact an experienced DUI or criminal law attorney immediately.  An attorney can review your case for your best possible defense.  As with other offenses, the state must prove all the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.  Can the state prove that it was you who were driving?  Was your driving really wanton and willful or was it closer to negligence?  How badly was the other person injured?  Does it rise to the level of great bodily harm?

Even if the evidence against you is overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse may be able to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement than you could on your own.

If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

Reference:  625 ILCS  5/11-503.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)