If you have spent any time living on Long Island or even just traveled through the area, you have almost definitely been caught in a traffic jam that kept you from getting to where you were going on time. While that experience can certainly be frustrating, it is important to stay as calm as possible while driving—not only to keep yourself and your car safe from harm in a crash—but also to avoid legal trouble that could include criminal charges.
If you were recently ticketed or arrested based on alleged aggressive driving, Mike Schillinger could be the Islip aggressive driving lawyer you need to effectively contest those allegations and protect your best interests. Whether you want to keep traffic violation points off your license or need to fight a criminal charge for reckless driving, working with a traffic defense attorney who is going to fight for you as a partner may be key to getting the best possible case outcome.
A lot of people confuse the terms “aggressive driving” and “reckless driving,” mostly because people often use them interchangeably when talking casually about dangerous driving. In legal terms, though, reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense specifically defined under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1212 as driving in a way that unreasonably endangers other people on the road or prevents the “free and proper use of the highway,” while aggressive driving is a blanket term that can be used to refer to all kinds of unsafe driving behaviors, such as:
Depending on the circumstances, aggressive driving in New York State can be something that local police do not need to get involved in, or it could be a reason for them to pull you over, issue you a traffic ticket, or even arrest you. Working with an experienced Islip aggressive driving attorney like Mike Schillinger could be vital to constructing the right approach to your situation based on what you have—or have not—been accused of doing.
If you are pulled over and ticketed for a traffic offense related to aggressive driving, it is worth considering whether formally contesting the ticket in court is the best course of action for you. Relatively minor offenses like failure to signal will only result in you receiving two or three points on your license—much less than the limit of 11 points within 18 months that would trigger a suspension of your license. In addition, unsuccessfully fighting a traffic ticket in a New York State court can sometimes lead to the judge imposing harsher penalties than you would have faced if you had just paid the original fine.
However, if you have been charged with reckless driving, you will face not only five points being added to your license and a steep fine but also criminal prosecution for a misdemeanor offense, which could lead to you being sentenced to jail time and having your license revoked. Representation from a dedicated aggressive driving lawyer in Islip like Mike Schillinger could help you contest this type of charge much more effectively.
Aggressive driving may not be explicitly defined as illegal in New York State in the same way reckless driving is, but you can still face serious administrative and legal penalties for being overly aggressive when driving. However, you also have the right to contest any accusation of aggressive driving made against you by another driver or by local police.
Mike Schillinger has the experience you need to proactively enforce your rights and ensure your case goes as smoothly as possible for you. Call today to learn more about what a skilled Islip aggressive driving lawyer like Mike Schillinger could do for you.
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