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, 6 points, and a 6-month suspension if it caused serious bodily injury. 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 instead of 6, 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'm a Shippensburg University student facing a traffic citation — should I fight it?

Yes. A guilty plea adds points to your license and can raise insurance rates for years. For students, a clean driving record matters for jobs, graduate school, and background checks. Many citations can be reduced or dismissed.

Reckless Driving Defense · Shippensburg, PA

Reckless Driving Lawyer in Shippensburg.

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

(717) 724-7503 Schedule a consultation

Shippensburg · Reckless Driving

Why Shippensburg reckless driving cases are different.

Shippensburg sits at the western edge of Cumberland County on I-81 and US-11. Shippensburg Borough Police, Shippensburg Township, Southampton Township, and PA State Police Troop H Carlisle station patrol the King Street corridor, the I-81 Exit 29 ramps, and the Shippensburg University zone.

Expect enforcement around the SU campus, on King Street and Earl Street, and I-81 corridor patrols by State Police. Student-driver citations make up a significant share of Shippensburg traffic cases during the school year.

Statute: 75 Pa.C.S. § 3736. 6 points, up to 90 days in jail, potential license suspension, and a permanent CDL 'serious traffic violation'.

(717) 724-7503 Free consultation

Court & jurisdiction

Shippensburg traffic citations on the Cumberland County side are filed in the local MDJ and summary appeals go to the Cumberland County Courthouse in Carlisle. The southern edge of Shippensburg crosses into Franklin County — those cases go to Chambersburg instead.

From Shippensburg

Shippensburg is a 40-minute drive west of our Camp Hill office on I-81. We appear at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Carlisle weekly and represent Shippensburg students and residents constantly.

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

How we defend reckless driving cases in Shippensburg.

Negotiate down to careless driving
Reducing §3736 to §3714 cuts points in half, 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.
Manage points and PennDOT
If a conviction is unavoidable, plan around the departmental hearing, written exam, or suspension that follows 6 points.

Related reading for Shippensburg drivers

More Cumberland County traffic defense.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

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

Shippensburg traffic citations on the Cumberland County side are filed in the local MDJ and summary appeals go to the Cumberland County Courthouse in Carlisle. The southern edge of Shippensburg crosses into Franklin County — those cases go to Chambersburg instead.

Shippensburg case review

Request a consultation for your Shippensburg reckless driving case.

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

Prefer to talk now? (717) 724-7503

Free Consultation

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.