Stamford Reckless Endangerment Lawyer
What constitutes a recklessly dangerous act often comes down to the interpretation of an arresting police officer—which fortunately means arrests for this offense do not always result in convictions. Following an arrest or accusation, seeking experienced legal help from a Stamford reckless endangerment lawyer should be your first priority.
What is Reckless Endangerment?
There are two kinds of reckless endangerment and throughout the state: first degree and second degree. Anyone who acts recklessly in this way may be charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree under Connecticut General Statutes §53a-64, while first-degree charges are reserved for individuals who act extremely indifferent to the lives of other human beings, as per C.G.S. §53a-63. Reckless endangerment is either a class B misdemeanor or a class A misdemeanor depending on whether it occurs in the second or first degree, which means potential criminal punishments may include maximums of 6 or 12 months in jail and $1,000 or $2,000 in fines, respectively.
However, the most severe consequences of this offense are often more personal in nature—for example, an act of reckless endangerment classified as domestic violence could result in the imposition of a protective order, DCF investigations, and potentially even the loss of custody rights. Working with a skilled Stamford attorney may be especially crucial if allegations of domestic violence are involved in a reckless endangerment case.
What Kinds of Actions Can Lead to a Reckless Endangerment Arrest?
As noted above, state law gives no explicit indications of what kinds of behaviors might be considered criminally reckless, or even what constitutes “extreme indifference” to the safety of others. While this offense commonly stems from instances of DUI or reckless driving with passengers in the vehicle, inappropriate brandishing or discharging of a firearm, street racing, and getting involved in a public fight, a police officer could choose to charge someone with reckless endangerment at any time they deem appropriate. Because of the broad nature of reckless endangerment charges, it is important to retain a lawyer in Stamford after arrest.
Can I Contest Allegations of Reckless Endangerment?
Most defense strategies against this particular type of criminal charge center around challenging the prosecution’s assertion that the defendant knowingly and willfully did something that genuinely put another person’s life at risk. Furthermore, if a defendant has no criminal history, it may be possible for a reckless endangerment lawyer in Stamford to argue that this one action is not representative of the defendant’s usual character, and to pursue probation or community service as an alternative to jail time.
Get in Touch with a Stamford Reckless Endangerment Attorney
Any criminal conviction on your record could significantly limit your educational, occupational, and personal future prospects, and certain situations could lead to consequences in family court as well. With help from a Stamford reckless endangerment lawyer, you could put yourself in a much better position to fight your charges and preserve your best interests. Click here to check out our firm further including over 300 client reviews, then give us a call to learn more.