Closer Look at Reckless Driving in Georgia After Woman’s Arrest in Coweta County

Jameria Alexander has been arrested on several different charges in Coweta County including:

• Fleeing or Attempting to Eluding Police in Georgia
• Reckless Driving in Georgia
• Violating Child Safety Seat Laws in Georgia

According to reports, Alexander was driving 88 miles per hour on I-85 South this past weekend. She allegedly ran a light, drove on the opposite side of the road, and eventually crashed into a tree. Alexander also had her two children unrestrained in the backseat during the entire incident. 

Officers were unable to detain her until performing a PIT maneuver to force her off the road. A PIT maneuver is a pursuit tactic used by police officers that forces a fleeing vehicle to abruptly turn sideways causing the driver of the fleeing car to lose control and stop. The vehicle wrecked into a tree as a result of the PIT maneuver. When the police investigated the wreck, they discovered Alexander's two children in the back of the car. 

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will focus today's post on the offense of reckless driving so that we can take a closer look at the law and the penalty if found guilty.

Reckless Driving in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines the offense of reckless driving as well as the penalty if convicted in the following statute:

(a) Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons    or property commits the offense of reckless driving.

(b) Every person convicted of reckless driving shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, provided that no provision of this Code section shall be construed so as to deprive the court imposing the sentence of the power given by law to stay or suspend the execution of such sentence or to place the defendant on probation. O.C.G.A. §40-6-390.

Practice Note

As I've mentioned in many of my posts - just because someone has been accused of a criminal offense does not mean they are guilty of that particular offense. Serious traffic offenses have very serious penalties. 

If you have been charged with reckless driving or a DUI in Georgia, contact our offices today. A Georgia DUI Attorney will help you to act immediately and determine which is the best course to take.