Negligent Driving in Kirkland

If you endanger other people or their property while operating a motor vehicle, you could be charged with negligent driving. There are two degrees of negligent driving. Each degree has repercussions that could have a significant impact on your life, especially if you are charged Negligent Driving in the First Degree.

Here at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe, our Kirkland negligent driving lawyers are ready to help you get a better grasp on the legalities of this offense:

• First Degree Negligent Driving is a criminal offense in Washington. This misdemeanor can be charged to a person who operates a motor vehicle in a negligent manner that endangers property or life and demonstrates the consequences of consuming alcohol or illegal drugs. It is punishable by $1000 fine and 90 days in jail, and the guilty party could be required to have an ignition interlock device installed. It must be proven that the driver's behavior or physical makeup showed that they consumed some amount of alcohol or drugs.
• Second Degree Negligent Driving is a serious civil infraction. It could cause your auto insurance rates to skyrocket if not properly addressed. Keep in mind that there are no jail sentences imposed for this infraction. However, you can be charged with this offense even if you are not impaired or are legally intoxicated.

If you find yourself facing a negligent driving charge, please contact our Kirkland criminal defense law offices for a free initial consultation. Our Kirkland negligent driving attorneys will do whatever the law allows us to legally do given the specific facts and circumstances involved in your case. We will fight to keep your driving record clean. This is especially important if you already have points against your driving record.

You could be charged with negligent driving if you are accused of speeding, not paying attention to the road while driving, or even falling asleep at the wheel. Compared to negligent driving, it should be noted that reckless driving is considered a more severe crime. This is because reckless driving is defined as a driver showing a wonton disdain for person and property. It is also a gross misdemeanor with the threat of more jail and higher fines.

If you believe you were charged with negligent driving unfairly, or if you simply hope to mitigate the damage it could cause, one of our criminal driving lawyers can help. We often have potential Kirkland clients us in a state of confusion because they simply cannot believe that they have been charged with a serious driving offense alleging negligence. We get it. In our opinion, many Negligent Driving charges are “weak”, meaning that they are filed with little or no personal knowledge and the facts simply not fit the crime.

Kirkland drivers sometimes find themselves charged with negligent driving solely at the discretion of the police officer who made the stop. We may pursue the dismissal of your case in these situations, if the evidence permits such an action. Our team of Kirkland negligent driving attorneys has defended drivers charged with negligent driving offenses for over two decades now. We are ready to put our criminal experience and knowledge of Washington State’s driving laws to work for you.

Before making any decisions about how to proceed with your case, talk with one of our professional Kirkland negligent driving lawyers. We know the law. We know the local Kirkland criminal municipal court. And, we are familiar with the prosecutors who will likely be handling your case. By arming yourself with reliable legal information from one of our Kirkland criminal attorneys, you are ensuring that your legal rights are being protected.

Our dedicated and aggressive attorneys will offer you their honest opinion when answering questions about your Kirkland negligent driving charges, whether the charge is first degree or second degree. And while you may think that a negligent driving charge isn't such a big deal, our extensive legal experience in handling Washington State traffic matters says otherwise.

Please note that if you're worried about paying our legal fees in a Kirkland negligent driving case, we offer convenient payment plans that suit any budget. We also accept all major credit cards.