St Charles Careless and Imprudent Driving Attorneys

Missouri’s law against careless and imprudent driving is known as a “C&I.”

This statute requires vehicle drivers to apply the highest level of safety on the road and drive at a speed which does not cause harm to other people or their property. A C&I ticket is a more severe violation than an ordinary speeding ticket and must be taken seriously.

Shea Kohl Law, LC can get your C&I tickets reduced to a non-moving violation to avoid increased insurance premiums and points on your license. Call us today if you’ve received a careless and imprudent driving ticket in St. Charles. We can help.

Contact Shea Kohl Law, LC today at (636) 946-9999 or email us for your free initial consultation.

What constitutes careless and imprudent driving in Missouri?

These actions are considered careless and imprudent driving in Missouri:

• Weaving or crossing the center line
• Excessive speeding
• Road rage
• Engaging another vehicle to race
• Braking abruptly and unnecessarily
• Squealing tires
• Use of cell phone while driving
• Texting while driving
• Diverted attention while driving
• Performing stunts on a public road
• Trying to evade a police officer
• Overtaking another vehicle despite the limited visibility of the traffic ahead

These actions are more serious offenses than ordinary tickets, especially if they lead to an accident or fatality.

Is careless and imprudent driving a misdemeanor in Missouri?

Careless and imprudent (C&I) driving is a Class B misdemeanor in Missouri under MO Rev Stat § 304.012, with a maximum jail time of 6 months. This C&I charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year of jail time if it results in an accident.

Although careless and imprudent driving is regarded as a misdemeanor, the violation can be upgraded to a felony if it results in substantial damage to property, serious physical injury, or death. A felony is a more serious charge which carries stiffer penalties than misdemeanors.

What is the fine for careless and imprudent driving in Missouri?

Violating Missouri’s C&I law carries various penalties based on the offense committed as well as other factors. A class B misdemeanor with no accident involved is punishable by a maximum fine of $1000 and incarceration of up to six months.

A person found guilty of C&I involving an accident is charged with a Class A misdemeanor punishable by no more than one-year in prison and $1,000 in fines or probation.

Can a C&I ticket affect my driving record?

Your ability to renew or maintain your driver’s license is dependent on keeping your driving record free of points violations. If you are convicted of careless and imprudent driving, that ticket will remain on your driving record for three years. If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), it will stay on your driving record for four years.

A C&I ticket stays on your driving record for five years if the offense led to the suspension of your driver’s license. The violation can also stay on your driving record permanently if you receive a C&I ticket along with another traffic violation such as DUI.

Violation of the careless and imprudent driving statute can also lead to:

• loss of driving privileges
• loss of employment
• increase in insurance premiums

A C&I-related criminal case can be settled with a plea bargain with the prosecution, reducing the charges, or having them dismissed if the court is sufficiently convinced.

Why hire a careless and imprudent driving lawyer?

Points affect your license if you are found guilty of a moving violation such as careless and imprudent driving.

Here are the reasons for hiring a C&I lawyer:

• Points can cause you to lose your license
• Your insurance premiums can go up due to your ticket
• You want to keep your driving record clean

Our skilled traffic law attorneys at Shea Kohl Law, LC can get your careless and imprudent driving ticket dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation that won’t impact your insurance premiums or driving record.

Contact us today