Traffic Defense
75 Pa.C.S. § 3736 carries up to 90 days in jail, a possible license suspension, and CDL consequences that follow you for years. We defend reckless driving citations in Adams, York, Cumberland and Dauphin Counties — not the whole state, just the courts we know inside out.
A reckless driving citation looks like a $200 traffic ticket on paper. In practice, it's the single highest-point summary offense on PA's books, it's chargeable as a misdemeanor when paired with § 3735.1 aggravated assault, and it's a CDL career risk. Pleading by mail almost never makes sense.
For broader citations — speeding, suspended license, CDL violations — see our Pennsylvania traffic citations page.
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 certificates, officer certification, and pacing distance are all fair game on cross.
Defend companion charges
Reckless driving often comes with fleeing, DUI, or accident-related citations — those need their own defense plan.
Protect your CDL
A reckless driving conviction is a 'serious traffic violation' under 49 CFR § 383.51. Two in 3 years = 60-day disqualification.
Manage points and PennDOT
If a conviction is unavoidable, we plan around the departmental hearing, written exam, or suspension that follows 6 points.
We don't take reckless driving citations from anywhere in Pennsylvania — only the four Central PA counties where we appear regularly enough to know the MDJs, the assistant DAs, and the summary appeal calendars.
Adams County Court of Common Pleas — 117 Baltimore St., Gettysburg
Summary reckless driving citations are heard before the magisterial district judge in the township where the stop occurred; appeals go de novo to the Court of Common Pleas in Gettysburg.
York County Judicial Center — 45 N. George St., York
York's MDJs handle a high volume of I-83 reckless driving and racing citations. Summary appeals are scheduled quickly out of the Judicial Center downtown.
Cumberland County Courthouse — 1 Courthouse Square, Carlisle
I-81 and the Carlisle Pike produce most of our reckless driving cases here. Carlisle's summary appeal calendar typically lands 60–90 days after the MDJ verdict.
Dauphin County Courthouse — 101 Market St., Harrisburg
Dauphin pairs reckless driving citations from I-83, I-81, and Route 322 with frequent companion charges. Summary appeals are heard at the Harrisburg courthouse.
FAQ
Reckless driving (75 Pa.C.S. § 3736) in Adams, York, Cumberland and Dauphin Counties — points, suspensions, CDL impact, and what a defense actually looks like.
75 Pa.C.S. § 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 driving (§ 3714) — the Commonwealth has to prove you knew of and consciously ignored a substantial risk. Common fact patterns: excessive speed (often 30+ mph over), aggressive weaving, street racing, and crashes caused by clearly dangerous maneuvers.
Free Consultation
Every hour matters in a DUI or criminal case. Call directly and speak with Attorney Quinlan — not an intake desk.
