Reckless endangerment in New York City is a serious offense that involves engaging in conduct that puts others at risk of serious injury or death. Understanding the legal implications and potential consequences of reckless endangerment is crucial if you’re facing such charges. Moreover, it’s important to seek the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney in NYC.

If you’re facing a reckless endangerment charge, Ms. Rendelman of The Law Offices of Julie Rendelman is here to help. As your Reckless Endangerment lawyer in NYC, she will guide you through each stage of the process, working to attempt to secure the most favorable outcome for your case.

Defining Reckless Endangerment

In New York, an individual can violate the reckless endangerment statute when he/she recklessly commits an action or engages in conduct that subjects another person to the risk of serious physical injury, which is defined to include:

• Loss or serious impairment of any major organ
• Significant and lasting health impairment
• Serious disfigurement
• Impairment that creates risk of death or causes death

Examples of Reckless Endangerment

Actions must be of a type that deviates grossly from the state of conduct that a reasonable individual would follow in the same situation. Examples of situations that have resulted in reckless endangerment charges include:

• Leaving a loaded firearm where children can access them
• Throwing rocks and other objects at moving cars
• Throwing heavy objects off the roof or out the window of a tall building

Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree

Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree is a Class A misdemeanor that can send you to jail for up to one year. You may even be ordered to pay restitution if your actions caused damage. Other complications include a criminal record and restricted access to employment or housing.

Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree

Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree is defined as conduct that presents a genuine risk of death to another person, performed under circumstances that demonstrate a depraved indifference to human life. In other words, you acted in a way that could have gotten someone else killed, and your actions indicate you simply don’t care that you did so.

Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree is a Class D felony that can, upon conviction, send you to prison for anywhere from two and one third to seven years. If you have a prior felony on your record, then the minimum sentence can go up to four years.

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

Although intended to penalize those who willfully act in ways that put others at risk of injury or death, the reckless endangerment statute is comparatively vague. For that reason, prosecution can sometimes be selective and driven more by the emotions involved in a case than any actual evidence of criminal behavior.

How an NYC Reckless Endangerment Lawyer Can Help

Without a legal background, navigating NYC’s legal system and reckless endangerment laws can be difficult. That’s where your attorney in NYC comes in. Your lawyer will:

• Provide legal guidance and support throughout the legal process
• Analyze the details of the case to develop a strong defense strategy
• Negotiate with the prosecution for a potential plea bargain or reduced charges
• Advocate for your rights and work to minimize the impact of the charge
• Represent you in court proceedings, including trials and appeals

Your NYC attorney is your advocate through every step. They will ensure you understand your legal options, rights, and the potential repercussions of a conviction. If you’re facing a reckless endangerment charge, it’s crucial to seek legal guidance.

Possible Defenses to a Reckless Endangerment Charge

Defending against a reckless endangerment charge can look different in every case. Possible defenses include:

• Lack of recklessness: If your actions cannot be considered reckless or could be classified as negligent instead of reckless, your lawyer will use that as part of your defense strategy.
• Absence of substantial risk: Reckless endangerment involves putting the safety of another at risk. So, if your actions did not create a substantial risk of serious injury or death, this can be a helpful piece of your defense strategy.
• Lack of indifference: Recklessness is a core part of this charge. If you didn’t act with complete disregard for human life, your lawyer may use that lack of indifference as part of your defense.
• Self-defense: If you acted in self-defense or in the defense of others, you may use that as part of your defense.

Contact an NYC Reckless Endangerment Lawyer Today

If you have been charged with reckless endangerment, then it is important to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Even a misdemeanor conviction can have a negative impact on your professional licenses, career opportunities, immigration status, and other important parts of your life, so do not face the future alone.

Julie Rendelman is a New York City criminal attorney. Ms. Rendelman offers free consultations and can be reached at 212-951-1232. She can use her 20+ years of insight and experience to try to minimize the impact of a reckless endangerment charge on your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can You Go to Jail for Reckless Endangerment in NYC?

Jail time for a reckless endangerment conviction in NYC varies based on the degree of the offense. Endangerment in the second degree may carry a jail sentence of up to one year. Conversely, endangerment in the first degree is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

What is the Difference Between Negligence and Reckless Endangerment?

While they may seem like the same thing, negligence and reckless endangerment are definitively different. New York defines negligence as the failure to act with a level of care that a reasonable individual would have in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another person. In contrast, reckless endangerment involves action that knowingly disregards or ignores the potential dangers to another individual’s safety.

What is the Minimum Sentence for Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree?

In New York, the minimum sentence for reckless endangerment in the first degree is two and one-third years. That number can climb to a minimum of four years of imprisonment if you have a prior felony on your record.