Dedication
We are available 24/7
This charge is broader and more fact dependent than most people expect. What counts as reckless is rarely obvious.
Legally reviewed by Roger Priest
Get a Free Case ReviewWe are available 24/7
Nearly 30 years of combined criminal defense experience
A former Oregon prosecutor now fights on your side
Thousands of criminal matters and dozens of jury trials
Reckless Endangerment applies when a person recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person. Drive-by shooting is addressed under a separate criminal statute. Reckless Endangerment is a gross misdemeanor and a crime against a person, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
For this charge, acting recklessly means knowing about and disregarding a substantial risk, which requires more than ordinary carelessness. Allegations can arise from conduct involving weapons, explosives, heavy machinery, drugs or alcohol, vehicles, or other dangerous circumstances. The State must prove that the risk was substantial rather than merely possible and that the accused acted with the required mental state.
Whether particular conduct meets that standard depends heavily on the evidence and context.
Almost any activity can involve some risk, but the charge requires a substantial risk of serious injury or death. Evaluating that question may involve witness accounts, video, physical evidence, the surrounding conditions, and what the accused knew at the time. Because Reckless Endangerment is a crime against a person and a gross misdemeanor, a conviction can have consequences beyond jail and a fine, including possible effects on employment, immigration matters, or eligibility for certain caregiving roles.
Anyone facing this charge should have the specific allegations and evidence reviewed before deciding how to proceed.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.
Cases we handle
Charges range from a simple push to felony assault with a weapon, every degree needs its own defense.
Learn more about Assault
Charges involving a partner, family member, or household member carry consequences beyond the case itself.
Learn more about Domestic Violence
Violating an order, or fighting to get one modified or lifted, requires careful, fast action.
Learn more about No-Contact & Restraining Orders
Threats, repeated unwanted contact, or intimidation charges, defended from the first accusation.
Learn more about Harassment
Serious charges need serious defense. We handle felony cases across Clark County.
Learn more about Felony Charges
Lower-level charges still carry real consequences. We fight to keep them off your record.
Learn more about Misdemeanors4.9 star reviews based on 110+ reviews
FAQ
Speeding alone typically is not sufficient. The charge requires proof of a substantial, not merely possible, risk of death or serious injury and the required reckless mental state.
No. They are separate offenses. Reckless Endangerment is a crime against a person focused on creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury, while Reckless Driving is a driving offense. The same incident can sometimes involve both.
It can. As a gross misdemeanor and a crime against a person, a conviction may carry collateral consequences involving immigration or employment. Anyone with immigration concerns should raise them with qualified counsel before resolving the case.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.