Careless & Reckless Driving Lawyer in Illinois
Careless or reckless driving is one of the most serious moving violations — in many states it is a misdemeanor with jail exposure. An attorney can often negotiate it down to a simple infraction that protects your record.
- 98%
- Win rate
- 5,000+
- Drivers helped
- $7M+
- Saved for drivers
- $1,422
- Avg. insurance savings
Ticket Takedown has a 98% win rate across more than 5,000 traffic ticket cases, saving drivers over $7M in fines and insurance increases.
How it works
- 1
Share your ticket
Upload your citation and basic details in minutes.
- 2
An attorney takes over
A licensed attorney files with the court and negotiates on your behalf.
- 3
Get updates until it's done
We keep you posted at every step — most cases end with a reduced or dismissed charge.
What a careless & reckless driving costs in Illinois
| Typical fine | Up to $2,500 (Class A misdemeanor) |
|---|---|
| License points | 55 points |
| Insurance impact | Reckless driving is among the most heavily surcharged entries on an Illinois record — 25%+ increases post-conviction are routine. |
| License risk | Class A misdemeanor with up to 364 days jail; aggravated reckless driving (bodily harm) is a felony. |
Frequently asked questions
Base reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor with up to 364 days of exposure. Cause bodily harm — or great bodily harm to a child or crossing guard — and it becomes aggravated reckless driving, a felony. The charge level dictates everything about strategy.
Yes — reductions to a petty offense or supervision-eligible violation are common outcomes for clean-record drivers. Attorneys in our network work to strip the criminal element first, then the record impact.
Courts can grant supervision on reckless driving in appropriate cases, which avoids a conviction entirely. Whether a particular county's prosecutors will agree is a local-practice question your attorney will know cold.
Yes — Illinois charges street racing separately with harsher license consequences, and prosecutors treat it as a headline offense. That variant needs a defense attorney immediately, not a court-date gamble.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Tell us about your case and we'll connect you with a licensed attorney who can evaluate your options — no obligation.
Request a free consultation