Traffic and Reckless Driving Defense in Gillette, WY

Gillette sits on the I-90 corridor, where commuters, coal-haul trucks, oilfield crews, and out-of-state travelers share the road with the Gillette Police Department, the Campbell County Sheriff, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The Gillette Municipal Court and the Campbell County Circuit Courts defend drivers.

When a Traffic Ticket Becomes a Criminal Charge in Wyoming

Wyoming’s misdemeanor default

Under W.S. § 31-5-1201(a), breaking Wyoming traffic laws is a misdemeanor, unless the law states that it’s a felony. This means that if you plead guilty or are found guilty at trial, you will face a court date and a criminal conviction. This is why a traffic stop in Gillette should be treated with the same level of attention as any other criminal charge.

Reckless driving vs. careless driving

These two charges may sound similar, but the difference between them can have a significant impact on your driving record and career.

• Reckless driving, as defined in W.S. § 31-5-229, is driving with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others and property. To prove this charge, the state must show that you were aware of a risk and deliberately chose to ignore it.
• In contrast, careless driving, under W.S. § 31-5-236, refers to failing to exercise the care a reasonable driver would, resulting in an unreasonable risk to others. This charge is based on a negligence standard.
• The difference between these two charges is crucial, as reckless driving can lead to mandatory license suspension and is considered a serious traffic violation on a commercial driver’s license. Careless driving, on the other hand, generally does not carry such severe consequences.

Reckless Driving Charges in Campbell County: What You’re Facing

A reckless driving conviction can have serious consequences:

• Jail and fines: You could face up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
• License suspension: Your license will be suspended for 90 days for a first conviction and 6 months for a second conviction within 5 years. The judge cannot waive this.
• Insurance requirements: After the suspension, you will need to provide proof of insurance for three years. This can lead to higher insurance premiums.
• Criminal record: The conviction will appear on background checks and could affect your employment, housing, and professional licensing.

Why paying the ticket can be the expensive option

Paying a citation is treated as a guilty plea. Once that conviction is entered, the suspension, insurance filing, and record follow automatically. There is no way to undo it later because you did not realize what the payment meant.

CDL Holders: The Stakes Are Higher

Campbell County runs on trucks. Coal haulers, oilfield crews, and long-haul freight drivers on I-90 all have commercial licenses, and one traffic conviction can put those licenses at risk.

The 0.04% BAC threshold

Behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle, a blood alcohol concentration of just 0.04% (half the standard 0.08% limit) is enough to disqualify you from driving for a year. A DWUI conviction in any vehicle (including your own pickup) disqualifies you from holding a CDL for one year for the first offense and could mean lifetime disqualification for a second offense. Our Gillette DUI Defense page covers these cases in detail.

Reckless driving is a “serious traffic violation”

Under 49 CFR § 383.51 and Wyoming law, reckless driving is a serious traffic violation, along with speeding 15 mph or more over the limit and following too closely. 

• Two convictions within 3 years result in a 60-day CDL disqualification. 
• Three convictions within 3 years lead to a 120-day CDL disqualification.

Your personal vehicle counts, too

A serious violation in your own car counts against your CDL if the conviction leads to suspension of your driving privileges. Because Wyoming automatically suspends your license after reckless driving convictions, a weekend charge on your personal truck could still end up on your commercial record.

Driving Under Suspension in Wyoming

A suspended license can lead to criminal charges under W.S. § 31-7-134. The base offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $750. However, if the suspension was due to a reckless driving or DUI conviction, or if you are caught driving while the suspension is in effect, the law may require at least 7 days in jail. You will not be eligible for probation until the jail time has been served, and you may face a fine ranging from $200 to $750.