Illinois
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.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Charges like this one start with a short call. A licensed Illinois attorney reviews your case and explains your options before you pay anything.
Request a free consultation- Win rate
- 98%
- Drivers helped
- 5,000+
- Saved for drivers
- $7M+
- Avg. insurance savings
- $1,422
How it works
Three steps from ticket to result.
- STEP 01
Share your ticket
Upload your citation and basic details in minutes.
- STEP 02
An attorney takes over
A licensed attorney files with the court and negotiates on your behalf.
- STEP 03
Get updates until it's done
We keep you posted at every step — most cases end with a reduced or dismissed charge.
Why it matters in Illinois
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
Is reckless driving a misdemeanor or felony in Illinois?
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.
Can Illinois reckless driving be negotiated down?
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.
Does supervision exist for reckless driving?
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.
I was charged after street-racing allegations. Is that different?
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