Montana
Careless & Reckless Driving Lawyer in Montana
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 Montana 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 Montana
What a careless & reckless driving costs in Montana
- Typical fine
- Up to $300 first offense (misdemeanor, up to 90 days jail)
- License points
- 5 points
- Insurance impact
- Reckless driving is one of the harshest entries an insurer can find — 25%+ surcharges are routine after conviction.
- License risk
- Misdemeanor conviction; a second offense brings mandatory license suspension exposure, and the 5 points push toward habitual offender status.
Frequently asked questions
Is reckless driving a crime in Montana?
Yes — driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety is a misdemeanor with up to 90 days in jail for a first offense, plus 5 points. It's a criminal case and deserves a real defense.
Can reckless driving be reduced to careless driving in Montana?
Often. Careless driving is a lesser Montana offense with a far smaller footprint, and negotiating that reduction — or an amendment to a non-moving violation — is the standard goal attorneys in our network pursue.
I was charged after an accident on the highway. Does that hurt my case?
Prosecutors do push harder after crashes, but accident-based charges often rest on inference about how you were driving rather than direct observation — which gives a defense attorney real openings to challenge the state's proof.
Will a reckless conviction cost me my Montana license?
A first conviction alone won't revoke you, but its 5 points combine badly with anything else on your record, and a second reckless offense within a year risks suspension. Keeping the first conviction off the record is the whole game.
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