Can a traffic offense get you a ticket to jail? It most certainly can. To be sure, the majority of traffic offenses call for only a ticket, sometimes even just a warning is sufficient, but there are instances in which you could wind up in jail and having to call your Grand Rapids bondsman because of a traffic offense.
Here are a few ways in which you could wind up in jail for a traffic offense. Keep in mind that these laws vary from state and what might get you jail time in one state will not in another state.
Driving with a Suspended License
There are states where driving with a suspended license could mean a trip to jail. Whether or not you wind up in jail for this offense depends on several circumstances. For example, if your license was suspended because you received a lot of parking tickets and haven’t paid the fines, you are less likely to see jail time if caught driving.
However, if you lost your license due to a DUI and get caught driving under suspension, that might warrant jail time.
Texting While Driving
We all know the dangers of texting while driving, yet some choose to do it anyway. Even if you are stopped at a red light, it is never a good idea to whip out your cell phone and send someone a text message.
While texting and driving will get you a ticket, you won’t likely wind up in jail. However, if you cause an injury, or worse, because you were texting, then there is an increased chance you will go to jail.
Even if your texting didn’t result in an injury, you could still get a reckless driving ticket, which could mean a trip to jail in some states.
Driving While Drowsy
We all know that you can go to jail for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but many might not know that driving while drowsy is a real thing that might land you in jail. So if you didn’t sleep very well last night and you have a long drive ahead of you, you best be careful.
New Jersey legislators passed a law making drowsy driving a criminal offense and other states may follow. The law states that sleep-deprived drivers qualify as reckless drivers who can be convicted if they wreck and cause an injury or death.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is when someone drives their vehicle in a manner that creates a dangerous situation for people in other vehicles and people walking on the sidewalk. In some states, reckless driving also includes driving in a manner that could cause property damage. In fact, reckless driving is a felony in some states.
The consequences for reckless driving can be very series and may even involve the death of someone, so you can expect the penalty to be severe.
If you wind up in jail because of a traffic violation or for any other reason, give us a call and we can help.
