In Texas, there is no shortage of car enthusiasts who will jump at any and every opportunity to show off the prowess of their vehicle. Many high-performance vehicle owners will engage in impromptu competitions on highways or “back roads” in order to see who has the faster automobile. However, even though they may feel like they are safely racing, there are still dangers involved with racing on a highway or on a public road instead of going to a private racetrack.
In the state of Texas, racing on public highways, roadways, and streets is strictly prohibited. This is a criminal offense, and individuals who partake in racing will face criminal charges. Racing can pose a danger to others, and in some cases, it can even take the life of an innocent driver who was simply trying to get home after a long day of work. Because of this, law enforcement feels the need to heavily enforce the laws and penalties surrounding public racing. If you have been charged with racing on a highway in Texas, you will undoubtedly need the assistance of a criminal defense attorney if you hope to beat or reduce your charges.
Racing on a Highway Defense Lawyer in Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine, Keller, and Southlake, TX
Racing on highway charges can be extremely intimidating, but they don’t always have to result in a criminal conviction. There are certain defenses that can be used, and in some cases, you may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges. However, in order to do this, you must align yourself with a quality criminal defense attorney who knows what they are doing. Failure to do this can have extremely negative effects on your criminal case, and it may even cause you to be convicted of a felony and sent to prison.
Make sure you have everything you need to beat or reduce your charges by hiring the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy. Led by experienced defense lawyer Richard McConathy, our legal team is prepared to do whatever it takes to provide you with a favorable outcome in a court of law. Our law firm has a strong reputation for helping our clients, and we have countless criminal case wins to our name. If you are searching for a Tarrant County criminal defense lawyer to help you with your legal matters, you have come to the right place. For more information on how we can be of assistance, call us today at (817) 422-5350 to schedule your consultation.
Definition of Racing on Highway
Texas Transporation Code Annotation § 545.420 clearly states that it is illegal for Texans to participate in any sort of race or competition while being located on a public Texas roadway. Drag racing, acceleration contests, vehicle speed competitions, and other variations of street racing are all prohibited in the state of Texas, and failure to abide by these laws can and will result in criminal charges filed against you.
Penalties for Racing on Highway
Racing on a highway has multiple different punishments and penalties. This is generally dependent upon the alleged offender’s driving record, and the severity of the alleged crime that was committed.
In its least severe classification, racing on a highway will result in a Class B misdemeanor charge, which is punishable by a maximum jail sentence of 180 days in addition to a mandatory fine that can be as high as $2,000. If this crime is upgraded to a class A misdemeanor charge, defendants will have to prep themselves for punishments including a maximum jail sentence of 1 year in addition to a maximum fine of $4,000.
Racing on a highway can also result in felony charges. If an individual has been charged with racing on a highway and they have two or more previous convictions on their record for the same crime, they can expect to spend anywhere between 180 days and 2 years behind bars, in addition to paying a fine that could be as expensive as $10,000.
Third-degree felony charges for racing on a highway are a result of an individual being involved in a street race that directly caused an individual serious bodily injury. If an individual is convicted of this charge, they can expect to spend anywhere between 2 and 10 years behind bars in addition to paying a mandatory fine of $10,000.
Lastly, second-degree felony racing on a highway charge can come to fruition if an offender is involved in a street race that resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of another individual. If this takes place, the alleged offender can spend anywhere from 2 years to 20 years behind bars, while being forced to also pay a fine that can be as expensive as $10,000.
Fort Worth Racing on Highway Resources
Texas Motor Speedway – This link takes you to the official website of Texas Motor Speedway, a speedway located in Fort Worth, Texas. This venue hosts numerous NASCAR and racing-related events on a yearly basis, and it also provides family fun via camping opportunities and facility rental. Texas Motor Speedway provides Fort Worth residents with a safe and legal way to enjoy performance vehicles.
DriveXotic – This link takes you to the website of DriveXotic, a company that provides unique exotic car driving experiences in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. At DriveXotic, guests are able to drive unique, high-performance vehicles and push them to their limits on a safe, enclosed private track. DriveXotic features numerous exotic vehicles, including the Dodge Viper, Audi R8, Nissan GT-R, and the Lamborghini Huracan.
Find A Tarrant County Defense Attorney for Racing on a Highway Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Street racing is a problem that has plagued Texas for years. It is also a problem in other regions of the country as well as the world, but Texas drivers are notorious for their fast driving speeds and their willingness to partake in illegal street races. If you have been accused of doing this but believe in your ability to potentially dismiss or reduce your charges, our team of legal professionals can help.
Serving Fort Worth, Arlington, Keller, Euless, and many other surrounding areas of Tarrant County, The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy can provide you with the expert legal counsel you are in search of. Richard C. McConathy is an experienced criminal defense lawyer with years of experience representing clients in a court of law. With a strong reputation that includes countless criminal case wins, we are confident in our ability to help you leave the courtroom with a favorable outcome that allows you to keep your freedom and criminal record intact. For more information on how we can help, contact us today at (817) 422-5350 to speak to a legal expert on our team.