California Law Library
California Vehicle Code

Vehicle Code § 23103 Reckless Driving

Makes it unlawful to drive a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

Statute text, verbatim

What the code actually says

The verbatim text for this section is being re-verified. Read it on the official California legislative site in the meantime.

Read on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Report readiness

What a report needs to survive this charge.

Knowing the code is the easy part. Cases get kicked when the narrative never documents an element the prosecutor has to prove.

Elements to document
  • The suspect drove on a highway or in an off-street parking facility
  • Driving showed willful or wanton disregard for safety
  • Specific driving behaviors are described with speed and conditions
  • Risk to actual persons or property is articulated
Common report defects
  • Speed is estimated with no method or calibration noted
  • Traffic, weather, and road conditions are omitted
  • 'Reckless' is used as a conclusion with no supporting maneuvers

Abbreviated for reference. Report960 runs the full element and defect checklist against your narrative and quotes the exact passage behind every finding. This page is not legal advice.

Related sections

Charges that travel together.

Check a Vehicle Code § 23103 report

Every element, checked.Every finding, quotable.

Paste or upload your narrative and Report960 flags the reckless driving elements you left undocumented, grounded in the verbatim statute above.