Yes. Reckless driving in Rhode Island is a criminal misdemeanor, not a civil traffic infraction. This is a crucial distinction. Civil infractions like speeding tickets carry only fines and go to the Traffic Tribunal. Criminal misdemeanors like reckless driving carry possible jail time, go to Rhode Island District Court, and produce a permanent criminal record visible on background checks for employment, housing, and licensing. The criminal classification means you have the right to a lawyer and the right to a trial, but it also means the prosecution can pursue jail time that civil infractions cannot.
