What counts as reckless driving in Pennsylvania?

§3736 defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in 'willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.' It's more than careless — the Commonwealth must prove you knew of and consciously ignored a substantial risk. Common patterns: 30+ mph over, aggressive weaving, street racing, or a crash caused by clearly dangerous driving.

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in PA?

A standalone §3736 charge is a summary offense — but it still carries up to 90 days in jail, a $200 fine, and an automatic 6-month license suspension under §1532(b)(1). It counts as a 'serious traffic violation' for CDL holders.

Can a reckless driving charge be reduced to careless driving?

Often yes. Careless driving (§3714) is 3 points with no automatic suspension, no jail exposure, and not a CDL 'serious traffic violation.' Whether the Commonwealth agrees depends on the facts (speed, crash, injuries), your driving history, and the citing officer's position at the summary hearing.

I was cited in Hershey but I live out of state — can you still represent me?

Yes. Pennsylvania traffic cases must be defended by a PA-licensed attorney regardless of where you live, and most appearances can be waived or handled by counsel without your physical presence. We handle many out-of-state Hersheypark and Giant Center visitors each year.

Reckless Driving Defense · Hershey, PA

Reckless Driving Lawyer in Hershey.

Reckless driving (§3736) in Hershey looks like a $200 traffic ticket and behaves like a criminal charge — an automatic 6-month license suspension, up to 90 days jail, and CDL consequences that follow you for years. Pleading by mail almost never makes sense.

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Hershey · Reckless Driving

Why Hershey reckless driving cases are different.

Hershey draws millions of visitors a year for Hersheypark, Giant Center concerts, Hershey Lodge events, and the AACA Museum. Derry Township Police and PA State Police Troop H patrol Hersheypark Drive, Route 422, Route 743, and the U.S. 322 corridor for speeding and traffic violations.

Expect enforcement along Hersheypark Drive, Park Boulevard, and Route 422 east toward Palmyra — especially during the summer Hersheypark season and after Giant Center events. Out-of-state drivers are frequently cited here and need PA counsel quickly.

Statute: 75 Pa.C.S. § 3736. An automatic 6-month license suspension under §1532(b)(1), up to 90 days in jail, and a permanent CDL 'serious traffic violation'.

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Court & jurisdiction

Hershey traffic citations are filed in Dauphin County MDJ District 12-3-04 (Derry Township). Summary appeals go to the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg.

From Hershey

Hershey is a 20-minute drive east of our Camp Hill office on Route 322. We handle Derry Township traffic citations constantly.

3425 Simpson Ferry Rd, Suite 100, Camp Hill, PA 17011

How we defend reckless driving cases in Hershey.

Negotiate down to careless driving
Reducing §3736 to §3714 trades an automatic 6-month suspension for 3 points, eliminates jail exposure, and protects a CDL from disqualification.
Challenge the 'willful or wanton' element
Speed alone is rarely enough — the Commonwealth must prove conscious disregard, not just bad driving.
Attack radar, lidar, and pacing
Calibration, officer certification, and pacing distance are all fair game on cross.
Defend companion charges
Reckless driving often rides with fleeing (§3733), DUI, or accident citations — those need their own defense plan.
Protect your CDL
A reckless driving conviction is a federal 'serious traffic violation' under 49 CFR §383.51. Two in 3 years = 60-day disqualification.
Plan around the PennDOT suspension
If a conviction is unavoidable, plan around the 6-month §1532(b)(1) suspension — timing, restoration, and work-travel realities.

More Dauphin County traffic defense.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions about reckless driving in Hershey, PA — courts, points, penalties, and defense.

Hershey traffic citations are filed in Dauphin County MDJ District 12-3-04 (Derry Township). Summary appeals go to the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg.
§3736 defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in 'willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.' It's more than careless — the Commonwealth must prove you knew of and consciously ignored a substantial risk. Common patterns: 30+ mph over, aggressive weaving, street racing, or a crash caused by clearly dangerous driving.
A standalone §3736 charge is a summary offense — but it still carries up to 90 days in jail, a $200 fine, and an automatic 6-month license suspension under §1532(b)(1). It counts as a 'serious traffic violation' for CDL holders.
Often yes. Careless driving (§3714) is 3 points with no automatic suspension, no jail exposure, and not a CDL 'serious traffic violation.' Whether the Commonwealth agrees depends on the facts (speed, crash, injuries), your driving history, and the citing officer's position at the summary hearing.
Yes. Pennsylvania traffic cases must be defended by a PA-licensed attorney regardless of where you live, and most appearances can be waived or handled by counsel without your physical presence. We handle many out-of-state Hersheypark and Giant Center visitors each year.

Hershey case review

Request a consultation for your Hershey reckless driving case.

Tell us what happened — the officer, the court, the charge. Attorney Quinlan personally reviews every Dauphin County traffic inquiry and usually calls back the same day.

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The sooner we talk, the more we can do.

Every hour matters in a DUI or criminal case. Call directly and speak with Attorney Quinlan — not an intake desk.