A recent statutory change is adding sanctions to Daytona Beach reckless driving pleas. It will also apply to Seminole County reckless driving cases and Florida reckless driving cases. The statute requires anyone that is convicted or who enters a no contest plea to complete a 4 hour online class. The class is reasonably priced at around $30. It is not the type of thing that would cause most people to go to trial but was not enforced for over a year and caught many people by
surprise. Language about potentially suspending the privilege to drive
increased the concern. The statute has been on the books since October of 2009.
A few months ago clients started getting letters from DHSMV to complete the
class or their license would be suspended. This recently was observed in
Daytona Beach reckless driving cases that are DUI reductions or what is commonly referred to as a wet reckless. It is also a
requirement for dry reckless cases. It is a Florida statute and will likely
apply to Seminole County reckless driving cases, Volusia County reckless
driving cases and all other Florida reckless driving cases.
The law comes from Florida Statute 322.0261(4). The department shall identify any operator convicted of, or who pleaded nolo contendere to, a violation of s. 316.074(1), s. 316.075(1)(c)1., s. 316.172, s. 316.191, or s. 316.192 and shall require that operator, in addition to other applicable penalties, to attend a department-approved driver improvement course in order to maintain driving privileges. If the operator fails to complete the course within 90 days after receiving notice from the department, the operator's driver license shall be canceled by the department until the course is successfully completed. It appears to apply to violation of a traffic control device, steady red indicators, stopping for a school bus, racing on the highway and reckless driving. While a four hour basic driver improvement class that can be completed online is not an extreme measure it was not previously contemplated in many cases that were resolved. If you are charged with reckless driving and plan on entering a plea be prepared for the additional class requirement. If you have been arrested or charged with reckless driving contact Daytona Beach reckless driving attorney Kevin J. Pitts.
