Question: What are penalties for reckless driving? I was initially arrested in San Fernando for DUI, but then the officer just said Reckless driving.

Answer: Per the statute (VC 23103 – reckless driving)…
persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105. That being said, I have resolved these cases with no jail time, minimum fines, and getting similar cases reduced to simple infractions.
Also, as alcohol was involved, they may charge you with a “wet reckless,” meaning alcohol was involved, which carries additional penalties. Or, the prosecutor could still decide to charge you with a DUI depending on the circumstances. Call me at 818-336 1384 to discuss your case in more detail. I am a DUI attorney and also handle different variations of traffic and criminal matters (ie. reckless driving charges).
Phil Hache,
Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney
www.philhachelaw.com
Handling DUI and Criminal matters throughout Courts in Southern California including Van Nuys, CA, San Fernando, CA, Burbank, CA Glendale, CA Pasadena, CA Metropolitan Court, Bellflower, CA, Alhambra, CA, Malibu, CA, Compton, CA, Santa Clarita, CA, Airport Court, Chatsworth, CA Inglewood, CA, Los Angeles, CA and other Courts