When considering a traffic offense most people think of things like a speeding ticket or expired registration violation. However, not all driving offenses are minor. There are more serious criminal traffic offenses involving serious bodily harm or fatality, or reckless or negligent disregard for Alabama traffic law that could have a major negative impact on both your driving privileges and your future.
An experienced lawyer will be able to fight against the serious driving charges and subsequent penalties in your serious traffic offense case in Alabama.
Experienced Huntsville, Alabama Traffic Offense Lawyers
The qualified attorneys at Law Offices Of Segal & Segal have nearly 40 years of combined criminal law experience on both prosecution and defense teams. They will use this knowledge of both sides of the court room to strengthen your defense against the prosecutor's strategies while fighting for you to keep your driving privileges and your freedom.
If you've been charged with a serious driving offense in Madison County or the surrounding counties of Jackson, Limestone, Marshall, or Morgan contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Law Offices Of Segal & Segal today. Your first consultation concerning your case is free, so call (256) 533-4529 now to schedule yours.
Alabama Criminal Traffic Offense Information Center
- Types of Serious Traffic Offenses in Alabama
- Penalties for Madison County Criminal Traffic Convictions
- Proudly Serving Clients in Madison County Charged with Serious Traffic Offenses
Types of Serious Criminal Traffic Offenses in Alabama
Though some traffic offenses in Alabama are spread out in the code due to the necessity of categorizing them under different chapters of the law, most driving offenses are listed in Alabama Code Title 32 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic. Specifically, most offenses are located in the Rules of the Rode section in 32-5A. Serious driving offenses are, for the most part, defined in Article 9 and include:
Reckless Driving – 32-5A-190
- Careless operation of a motor vehicle
- Driver has willful or wanton disregard for rights or safety of persons or property
- Operates vehicle without due caution
- Driving a vehicle at high speeds
- Not considered a lesser offense for DUI in Alabama
Driving Under License Suspension – 32-6-19
- Driving while Alabama driver's license is canceled, denied or suspended
- Driving while driver's license from another state is canceled, denied, or suspended
- Driving while Alabama chauffeur's license is canceled, denied, or suspended
- Driving while chauffeur's license from another state is canceled, denied, or suspended
Leaving the Scene of an Accident or Hit and Run – 32-10-1 – 32-10-6
- Driver of motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to any other attended or unattended vehicle has obligation to stop
- Driver of motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to any public or personal property has obligation to stop
- Driver of motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to another person has obligation to stop
Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement – 13A-10-52, Formerly 32-5A-193
- Intentionally fleeing from someone you know is a law enforcement officer if you know the officer is trying to arrest you
- Intentionally fleeing a law enforcement officer while operating a motor vehicle on Alabama roads after receiving a signal from the officer to stop
- Intentionally attempting to elude a law enforcement officer while operating a motor vehicle on Alabama roads after receiving a signal from the officer to stop
Homicide by Vehicle – 32-5A-192
- Unlawfully and unintentionally causing the death of another person
- Must be engaged in a violation of any state law or ordinance that applies to the operation of a motor vehicle or other vessel, such as speeding
- Violation of traffic code must be proximate cause of that person's death
Penalties for Madison County Criminal Traffic Offense Convictions
The penalties for these serious driving offenses are severe and can be life-altering, especially in the case of felonies. An experienced Madison County serious driving offense attorney will be able to help you sort through your case and construct the most favorable defense against these punishments.
Reckless Driving
- First conviction
- 5-90 days of prison, 5 days is mandatory minimum
- $25-$500 fine
- Second or subsequent conviction
- 10 days – 6 months of prison, 10 days is mandatory minimum
- $50-$500 fine
- 6 month driver's license suspension
Driving With Suspended License
- Misdemeanor offense
- $100-$500 fine
- $50 mandatory donation to Traffic Safety Trust Fund and Peace Officers Standards and Training Fund
- Up to 180 days in jail
- 6 month additional driver's license suspension
- Possible vehicle impoundment – especially if original offense involved DUI
Leaving the Scene
- Class A Misdemeanor
- No bodily injury or death
- A fine up to $6,000
- Up to one year of county jail
- Class C Felony
- Bodily injury or death involved
- Up to 10 years of prison – mandatory minimum of 1 year, one day
- Up to $15,000 fine
Fleeing an Officer
- Class A Misdemeanor
- Fleeing doesn't cause bodily injury or death
- A fine up to $6,000
- Up to one year of county jail
- 6 months to 2 years of driver's license suspension
- Class C Felony
- Bodily injury or death was caused by eluding
- Up to 10 years of prison – mandatory minimum of 1 year, one day
- Up to $15,000 fine
- 6 months to 2 years of driver's license suspension
Homicide by Vehicle
- $500-$2,000 fine
- 1 – 5 years imprisonment, 1 year being the mandatory minimum
Proudly Serving Men and Women in Huntsville Facing Criminal Traffic Offense Charges
If you have been charged with a serious driving offense such as reckless driving, fleeing the scene or an officer, driving under license suspension, or vehicular homicide, contact the qualified Huntsville-Decatur criminal defense lawyers at Law Offices Of Segal & Segal.
We serve the communities of Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Madison, Scottsboro, Gunterville, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (256) 533-4529 to discuss the particulars of your case in your free initial case consultation.