Criminal Defense for Drivers Facing Serious Charges Under Maryland’s Updated Laws
A reckless driving charge in Maryland is a criminal misdemeanor, not a routine traffic ticket. A conviction creates a criminal record, adds points to your license, and since October 1, 2025, can now result in up to 60 days in jail. If you’re facing this charge, the decisions you make in the next few weeks matter. Anthony A. Fatemi, LLC has represented Maryland clients since 1999 across criminal defense, immigration, family law, and more, and we’re ready to help you navigate what comes next.
Contact us today to discuss your case and your options. Call (301) 857-4914 to speak with our team.
What Maryland Law Says About Reckless & Negligent Driving
Maryland Transportation Code § 21-901.1 draws a clear line between two related but distinct offenses. Reckless driving means operating a vehicle in wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property. That standard requires more than a momentary lapse in judgment: the driver knowingly or recklessly ignored a serious risk. Negligent driving, defined under the same section, requires only a showing of careless or imprudent driving that endangered another person or their property, a lower bar to meet.
Driving patterns that frequently lead to reckless driving citations include excessive speed relative to road or weather conditions, rapid weaving between lanes, and passing in prohibited zones. Under the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act (Chapter 447, Senate Bill 590), which took effect October 1, 2025, driving 30 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit now independently qualifies as reckless driving by statute.
Penalties After the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act
The Kepp Act significantly raised the stakes for these offenses. Before the law changed, reckless driving carried fines and license points but no possibility of jail time. That changed with the 2025 amendments.
Current penalties for a reckless driving conviction include:
Jail exposure: Up to 60 days
Fine: Up to $1,000
License points: Six points assessed by the MVA
Negligent driving penalties also increased. A conviction now carries a fine of up to $750 and two points, with additional consequences if the driving contributed to a crash. Treating either charge as a minor inconvenience is a mistake.
How Anthony A. Fatemi, LLC Defends Reckless Driving Charges
Our criminal defense work on reckless driving cases starts with the same disciplined review we apply to any charge: did law enforcement follow required legal procedures, and can the prosecution actually prove every element of the offense? Those questions shape the strategy.
We also focus on a dimension that many defense attorneys don’t address directly. For non-citizens, a criminal conviction for reckless driving can carry immigration consequences that extend well beyond the traffic penalties. Our firm handles what’s known as crimmigration matters, cases where a criminal charge threatens a client’s immigration status. We work to resolve the immediate charge in a way that may help protect your long-term ability to remain in the United States.
Our team takes a culturally aware approach and provides multilingual communication so clients stay informed at every stage. We’re committed to making quality representation accessible, and we offer flexible payment options for clients who need them.
Start Your Defense Today
Time limits are short after a reckless driving citation. Waiting too long can close off options before you’ve had a chance to evaluate them. Whether your primary concern is the criminal record, the license points, a potential immigration impact, or all three, we can help you understand where you stand and what a defense can look like in your specific situation.
Reckless and negligent driving aren’t the only vehicle-related misdemeanor charges Maryland prosecutors can pursue. Maryland Transportation Code § 21-901.2 defines aggressive driving as committing three or more specified traffic violations during a single continuous period of driving. Common examples include improper passing, tailgating, and disobeying a traffic signal. Aggressive driving is a separate offense from reckless driving with its own point assessment and fine, not simply a more serious version of the same charge.
Drivers 18 or younger who hold a provisional license face an additional layer of risk. Under § 21-905, a high-risk driving charge can be brought against a provisional licensee who commits reckless or negligent driving, aggressive driving, or racing. A first offense can result in a six-month license suspension; a subsequent offense carries a twelve-month suspension. For young drivers still building their record, the downstream effects can reach far beyond the initial citation.
The Maryland MVA tracks points accumulated within a two-year window. Reaching a set threshold requires completion of a Driver Improvement Program. Accumulate enough points, and the MVA can suspend your license; a higher total can lead to revocation. Six points from a single reckless driving conviction puts a driver well along that path.
The consequences don’t stop there. Because reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor, it can appear on a background check. For commercial drivers whose livelihood depends on a clean record, that exposure is a direct threat to their career. Insurers treat a reckless driving conviction as a high-risk offense, which typically raises premiums significantly.
Your Options After a Citation
Paying the fine on a reckless driving citation isn’t a neutral act. It results in a conviction and the full point assessment that goes with it. Requesting a trial preserves your right to contest the charge and opens the door to alternative resolutions. Drivers generally have around 30 days from the citation to make that election before the MVA can act.
Possible outcomes in a contested case can include a negotiated reduction to negligent driving, which carries fewer points, or in some circumstances a disposition such as probation before judgment (PBJ). Probation before judgment allows a court to withhold a formal finding of guilt, which can limit the impact on your driving record. None of these outcomes are guaranteed, and the right strategy depends entirely on the facts of your case. That’s exactly why an early conversation with our team matters.
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