Careless & Reckless Driving Lawyer in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
| Typical fine | Fine in the court's discretion + costs (Class 2 misdemeanor) |
|---|---|
| License points | 4 DMV points and 4 insurance points |
| Insurance impact | Four SDIP insurance points means roughly an 80% premium surcharge for three years — one of the costliest convictions on the NC schedule. |
| License risk | Class 2 misdemeanor with up to 60 days jail exposure; a second reckless conviction within 12 months brings a discretionary suspension. |
Frequently asked questions
G.S. 20-140 covers driving 'carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard' of others' rights or safety, or in a manner likely to endanger people or property. It's a Class 2 misdemeanor — a crime with a permanent record if convicted.
The SDIP assigns 4 insurance points to a reckless conviction — around an 80% surcharge for three years. On a typical policy that's several thousand dollars, which usually makes vigorous defense the financially conservative choice.
Frequently — to a speeding infraction, improper equipment, or another disposition without the misdemeanor and its 4 insurance points. Clean-record drivers have the most room; our attorneys know which counties offer what.
Speed by itself is often charged as 'reckless driving by speed,' and it's among the most reducible versions of the charge. High speeds (90+) get more prosecutorial resistance, but even those routinely resolve short of a misdemeanor conviction.
In many counties our attorneys can appear for you on a misdemeanor traffic charge with a waiver; some judges require the defendant for certain dispositions. We'll tell you before your court date, not after.
Ready to keep your record clean?
Upload your ticket, get a flat-fee quote, and let an attorney handle the rest. Most cases are resolved without you going to court.
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