Not every traffic ticket is a simple speeding citation, and not every ticket carries simple consequences. Reckless driving, distracted driving, red light and stop sign violations, and driving on a suspended license can all bring fines, demerit points, and license consequences that follow you well beyond the courtroom.
Our lawyers at May McKinney, PLLC help drivers throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee fight these citations and protect their driving privileges.
Reckless Driving is a Serious Offense
Under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-10-205, reckless driving means operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, and it’s a criminal offense, not a simple infraction. A reckless driving conviction is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, and it can result from conduct as varied as aggressive tailgating, weaving through traffic, or excessive speed combined with other unsafe behavior. Because it’s a criminal charge, it can appear on a background check in a way an ordinary citation never would.
Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law
Since 2019, Tennessee’s distracted driving statute, T.C.A. Section 55-8-199, has prohibited drivers from holding a cell phone for any purpose behind the wheel, including texting, reading messages, or holding the device while talking. A conviction adds three demerit points to your driving record, and for drivers under 18, a second or subsequent violation adds seven points, enough to put a young driver’s license at real risk. These citations can also be treated as evidence of negligence in a related civil matter, so the consequences don’t always end with the ticket itself.
Red Light and Stop Sign Violations
Running a red light or stop sign is a Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee, and while jail time is rare, a conviction adds demerit points to your license and can escalate to a reckless driving charge depending on the circumstances. Camera-issued citations carry their own specific defenses, including situations where you weren’t the one driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.
Why Points and Convictions Add Up
Tennessee’s demerit point system may seem minor ticket by ticket, but points accumulate, and enough of them can lead to a license suspension entirely separate from any single citation. For commercial drivers, out-of-state drivers, and anyone relying on a clean record for employment or insurance purposes, even a seemingly small conviction can carry consequences that outlast the fine itself.
Fighting Your Citation Matters
Many drivers assume a traffic ticket isn’t worth contesting, but a conviction on your record can affect your insurance rates, your license status, and, for reckless driving, your criminal record for years to come. We review the citation, the officer’s basis for the stop, and the specific facts of your case to determine whether the charge can be reduced, dismissed, or fought at trial.
Let May McKinney Fight Your Citation
At May McKinney, PLLC, we take every citation seriously because we know that even a “minor” traffic charge can have consequences that follow you. Our attorneys understand Tennessee traffic law and how these cases are handled in Nashville courts.
Call (615) 256-7337 for a free consultation, or you can reach out online. Let our Nashville traffic ticket attorneys protect your driving record and your future.
