Reckless Driving Lawyer in Colorado

Reckless driving is one of the most serious traffic offenses in Colorado short of DUI. A conviction can put 8 points on your license, land you in jail, and cause massive increases in your insurance premiums.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Under Colorado law, reckless driving means operating a motor vehicle in a manner that demonstrates a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Unlike careless driving, reckless requires proof that you knowingly ignored the risk. Prosecutors often charge it in cases involving high speeds, aggressive maneuvers, or accidents.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

Reckless driving carries harsher penalties than careless driving:

• First conviction: Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, punishable by 10 days to 90 days in jail, a fine of $150 to $300, and 8 points on your driver’s license.
• Second conviction: Jail time increases to 10 days to 6 months, and fines range from $50 to $1,000.

Additional consequences include:

• Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO): Reckless driving counts as a “major” traffic offense. Three such convictions in 7 years can result in a 5-year license revocation.
• Insurance premiums: A reckless driving conviction will likely spike your rates more than almost any other traffic offense.

How I Defend Reckless Driving Charges

Common defense strategies include:

• Challenging whether the driving truly rose to the level of “willful and wanton”
• Highlighting mitigating circumstances (road conditions, emergency situations, or other drivers’ actions)
• Negotiating to reduce reckless charges to careless driving, when possible, to protect your license and avoid HTO strikes

With more than 20 years of courtroom experience, I know how prosecutors approach reckless driving cases and how to fight back effectively.

Reckless vs. Careless Driving

Reckless driving requires a higher mental state — willful disregard of safety — while careless driving is typically charged when driving is negligent but not deliberate. Both carry serious consequences, but reckless is more severe. Learn more here: Careless Driving Defense in Colorado.

Get Help Today

A reckless driving charge is far more than a speeding ticket — it can threaten your license, your job, and your freedom.

Call me, Monte Robbins, at 303-355-5148 for a free case evaluation. I’ll personally walk you through your options and build a strategy to protect your record and your future.