RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT 

Whether you’ve been charged with reckless driving or another crime involving a disregard for public safety, reckless endangerment is a commonly seen element in certain misdemeanor and felony charges in the State of Mississippi. While Mississippi doesn’t have a stand-alone charge of reckless endangerment or public endangerment, it is most commonly seen as an element of another type of crime. Essentially, reckless endangerment is an element of a crime that involves the creation of a substantial risk to the safety of others coupled with a lack of concern on the part of the offending person. It’s not uncommon to see this element in crimes involving car collisions and other traffic violations.

Reckless Endangerment as a Criminal Element

In Mississippi, reckless endangerment and public endangerment aren’t stand-alone crimes. Reckless endangerment is considered an element in many different criminal charges though. Most frequently, this is an element in a charge involving some type of disregard for public safety or for the safety of others nearby. In some cases, it can involve putting children in harm’s way or simply having a lack of concern for the danger a child might be facing when a particular crime is being committed.

Reckless Endangerment of Children

If children are in the car, you could also be looking at the element associate with the reckless endangerment of children. This is frequently seen in cases involving drunk driving while a child is in the car. Even though you don’t have the express intent to endanger a child, depending up on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing a charge involving the element of child endangerment. These charges are typically more serious and hold greater penalties if convicted, so the sooner you speak with a criminal defense attorney about your case, the better chance you have at a positive outcome.

Reckless Endangerment and Assault

Assault cases might also involve reckless endangerment, especially if bystanders are injured in the commission of the crime. It might not matter that you didn’t intent to injure somebody, but if you acted in a way or are being charged with a crime where an element involved is reckless endangerment, the prosecution might only have to prove that you engaged in the act, and that you acted in a way that created a substantial risk of injury to another person without regard for his or her safety. Second-degree murder is another possible charge that can be associated with the element of reckless endangerment. Each case is unique, so if you’re facing any type of criminal assault charge associated with reckless endangerment or a disregard for the safety of others, contact a criminal defense law firm immediately.

Jackson Criminal Defense Lawyer

After any type of arrest or criminal charge in Jackson, it’s essential to get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer about your case as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your defense. In some cases, it might not matter that you didn’t mean to hurt anybody or put somebody’s life in danger, you could still at risk for being convicted of misdemeanor or felony criminal charges.

 If you or a loved one has been charged with any type of crime associated with the element of reckless or public endangerment in Jackson or any of the surrounding Metro Area communities, contact the experienced criminal defense team at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC at (601) 265-7766 for an immediate case consultation.