Reckless Endangerment of Another Person (REAP as it is known among legal professionals) is a criminal charge brought against people whose conduct may put another person in risk of death or serious bodily injury. REAP is a misdemeanor of the second degree, meaning that someone convicted of REAP charges could be facing up to two years in prison.

        What constitutes conduct that puts another at risk of death or serious bodily injury covers a wide variety of behaviors. Someone can be charged and convicted with charges of REAP even if no one was hurt or actually in any substantial danger.  Instead, what matters is that the conduct of the person who has been charged is the type of behavior that could have put someone in severe danger. Common instances of REAP include shooting off guns, or blowing things up, even if no one gets hurt or is in any real danger. In fact, REAP is a very common charge in these scenarios where no one has been hurt and there is an insufficient factual basis for the charging of a more serious injury based offense. But REAP charges aren’t limited to those scenarios, and can be applied by police and prosecuting attorneys to almost any scenario imaginable.

        What separates REAP from many other crimes is the intent element necessary to establish a violation.  A significant portion of most crimes requires that the conduct alleged was done intentionally, meaning they were done on purpose to achieve the resulting crime. This is not true with REAP charges. Instead, Reckless Endangerment only requires a “reckless” state of mind, meaning that they consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk.  This doesn’t require a purposeful intent. This is more than just a mere accident, however, and many times the prosecuting attorneys fail to see the difference.

        If you or a loved one is facing charges of REAP, the argument in your defense will require a nuanced and well thought out defense. You need someone who can stand up against the prosecution, and help you get the charges dismissed, or get reduced and reach a positive resolution. Attorney Frank Walker is just the attorney to help in these scenarios. With years of criminal law experience in Allegheny County and the surrounding areas, Attorney Walker will help you prepare the best legal defense available. 

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia. Attorney Walker is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense, Super Lawyers and qualified as a Pennsylvania Death Penalty Defense Attorney.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident in WV or PA, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation following a serious accident or injury.