Recklessly Endangering Another Person in PA is a serious misdemeanor offense. It just sounds nasty on your criminal record. A conviction for the crime is like a diamond, it lasts forever. You have to be extremely careful with who you pick to handle this case because picking wrong can ruin your life. When people ask “Who is the best Recklessly Endangering Another Person attorney near me?” The people have spoken, it’s The McShane Firm
Professional, Reliable, and Trustworthy
I reached out to a few different firms after receiving my court details in the mail, but I quickly realized that the McShane firm felt the most consistent and genuinely interested in my case. They’re very passionate about getting you the best results, and communication with attorney Corey Fahnestock was quick and easy. Both attorney Corey Fahnestock and Cassandra Frantz were very helpful and informative as they were consistently updating me whenever a delay or change in terms would occur. Worth every dollar! I highly recommend Corey Fahnestock for anyone serious about seeking true justice!
Anonymous
Saved my Life
Tim was able to do what seemed to be impossible! My case was dismissed at trial and I was able to go back to my life. Don’t hesitate to retain Tim as your attorney, he is worth every penny. I couldn’t be any happier with my experience.
Anonymous
My attorney Timothy Barrouk did a wonderful job by getting my charges dismissed. He was helpful the whole time and I could call him whenever I had any sort of questions.
A.G.
Justin McShane and his firm are the best in the nation. They handle and win the toughest cases on a regular basis. Justin and his wife are not only trial lawyers but they are also scientist. When a lawyer can combine this type of knowledge, tenacity and trial skills…it’s a work of art. If they will take your case, you are very lucky. When you can’t afford to lost, you call the McShane firm.
M.T.
I cannot thank them enough for the outcome of my case. Attorney Tim Barrouk was dealing with a client who was on edge, never been arrested, and didn’t trust him 100% in the beginning, but he came recommended so he was my lawyer. I remember offering to hire a second attorney to help and he reassured me he had it under control. After a while it appeared I made a great choice. He knew the pros & cons of every judge my case was assigned to, he knew when to talk and when to listen in court, he didn’t let me take a bad deal, never pressured me, and responded to every text or call I ever placed to him. Cathi Lee kept me updated on where to be and when to be there. and was always available also. I was facing an Aggravated Assault charge causing serious bodily injury, simple assault, unlawful restraint, and 4 other misdemeanor charges and facing up to 10+ years in state prison. I never denied what I did and there was even video of me doing it. At the end of the day, All my charges were dropped and replaced with one summary offense of disorderly conduct and I was sentenced to pay a $25 fine plus court costs. Tim was always honest, and even told me flat out, these charges fit what you did but your case is triable and we’re gonna work for the best outcome. There were no promises or bs, just facts and business. Thank you Tim and the rest of The McShane Firm for getting me justice and not letting me get lost in the system.
D.W.
The Law
You can read the exact law here: Recklessly Endangering Another Person 18 P.S. § 2705
What the government needs to prove:
Recklessly Endangering Another Person known as REAP is a very simple statute, but the devil is in the details. As we will see.
Remember at all times, if the government has charged you with any crime including REAP, you are innocent in the eyes of the law. Before you start the eternal you are Not Guilty. You remain that way unless the government can present a mountain of evidence proving your guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In order to convict you the government must prove the following:
- the accused
- recklessly engaged in conduct which
- places or may place another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.
What is serious bodily injury for Recklessly Endangering Another Person
Pennsylvania defines SBI as follows:
Bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ
What does that actually mean? Well, that is a great question. Some things are clearly SBI such as losing an eye. But it is the grey area where jury trials happen. Does a jury say that the actual injury or the perceived and feared injury make to SBI? That’s the DA’s job to convince beyond a reasonable doubt. If not, you remain as you started innocent.
What is the definition of reckless
We find the definition of recklessly at 18 P.S. 302.
A person acts recklessly with respect to a material element of an offense when he consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the material element exists or will result from his conduct. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that, considering the nature and intent of the actor’s conduct and the circumstances known to him, its disregard involves a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the actor’s situation.
But what does that mean? Well the best way to explain it is by what it is not. Reckless behavior is less than intentional, less than knowing, but more than mere negligence.
To put it simply:
- Intentional means that you are aware of what you are doing and do it on purpose for its intended aim.
- A person acts knowingly when he acts with the certainty that a certain result will follow from his actions.
- However, a person acts recklessly if the person does not know for sure that a specific result will follow. Recklessness means that you knowingly take a risk.
- Negligence occurs when a person unknowingly takes a risk that they should have been aware of..
So in the real world, it means whatever a jury wants it to mean. This is where having the right attorney who can explain how your conduct doesn’t fit the crime can make all of the difference.
Maximum Penalties
If you are convicted or found guilty of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, it is a misdemeanor of the second degree. Beyond the instant concerns you likely have about jail, probation, fines and costs, you need to be aware of Misdemeanor Conviction Consequences in Pennsylvania.
The maximum penalty for all misdemeanors of the second degree in Pennsylvania is a period of jail not to exceed two years. The maximum fine is not to exceed $5,000.00
