Criminal Record

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor in most states, but it goes on a person's permanent record and can affect his life for years. The criminal record is accessible in any state and is checked by employers and credit bureaus to determine a client's reliability. Many employers, particularly state agencies such as the police department and fire department, will not hire a person with a reckless driving charge in her recent criminal history.

Fines

The fine for reckless driving in most states is between $500 and $1,000. Washington state has one of the most severe fines, with a maximum of $5,000 per offense.

Loss of Driver's License

Many states grant courts the authority to revoke the driver's license of someone found guilty of reckless driving, regardless of whether or not it is his first time. Revocation time is usually between 30 and 90 days.

Jail

Because reckless driving is such a serious offense, jail time is an option for the courts in many states, and some states require jail time for any reckless driving conviction. Imprisonment time ranges from one to 90 days in most states for the first offense, and can be as long as one year for a second offense.

Deportation

Courts almost always have the option of deporting illegal immigrants for any illegal action, but deportation is at stake in some states for even legal immigrants in reckless driving cases. When immigrants become U.S. citizens, they agree to abide by the laws of the country, and reckless driving is seen as a severe and dangerous crime for which courts will consider deportation.

Death or Injury

Reckless driving can easily lead to accidents when the driver loses control of the vehicle or scares other drivers around him, causing them to swerve and get in an accident. Reckless drivers are often traveling at high speeds or with complete disregard for their surroundings, so the accidents that result are usually very severe and sometimes deadly. According to the "Why Speak Up" campaign sponsored by the Attorney General, reckless driving is the No. 1 killer of people ages 15 through 20. Reckless driving results in numerous injuries and deaths each year, and can destroy the lives of accident victims as well as their families.