How bad is a careless operation ticket in Louisiana?

Did you recently get a careless operation ticket? I bet you are wondering how bad is a careless operation ticket in Louisiana? Let me tell you that it is a very serious violation that can have a lasting impact on your driving record and insurance rates. I am not saying this to scare you but I just want you to be aware and not something you want on your driving record. I would suggest hiring a careless operation attorney to fight this for you. Most people don’t realize that when you pay a ticket before going to court that is the same as pleading guilty.

According to Louisiana Revised Statutes  RS 32:58: Careless operation is defined as:  (A) ” Any person operating a motor vehicle on the public roads of this state shall drive in a careful and prudent manner, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Failure to drive in such a manner shall constitute careless operation.”

(B) “If the careless operation of the motor vehicle directly or proximately causes the death of a human being, when the operator fails to maintain control of the vehicle because of falling asleep, in addition to any penalties provided in this Title, the person shall also be ordered to serve court-approved community service for not more than two hundred fifty hours and the department may suspend the operator’s license for a period of two years.”

Have you recently got a careless operation ticket?

If so give me a call at (504) 547-7776 for a free consultation.

You can see how the above statute was written broadly to give officers considerable discretion when citing tickets. The law did not define “careful and prudent” and they left that for the officers to decide.  You can get this citation for anything they interpret as careless activity. So needless to say you can get a careless operation ticket for a wide variety of infractions.

Having a careless operation ticket on your record can have a huge impact on your driving record and on your insurance rates increasing for many years to come. A good traffic lawyer will help you get your ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser non moving violation that will not hurt you.

To summarize a careless operation citation:

  • The law for careless operation was written vaguely to give officers discretion to apply where they see fit.
  • A careless operation ticket can damage your driving record, and increase your insurance rates for years to come.
  • Paying a ticket is the same as pleading guilty. You should always fight this type of citation.

If you are facing a careless operation citation please give me a call at (504) 547-7776 for a free consultation.