Legal Definitions - reckless endangerment

Definition: Reckless endangerment is a criminal offense where a person puts another person in danger of serious injury or death. This is a crime that is defined by law, not by common law.

Examples:

• Driving a car at high speed through a crowded area
• Leaving a loaded gun within reach of a child
• Starting a fire in a public place without taking proper precautions

These examples illustrate how a person's reckless actions can put others in danger. In the first example, the driver is endangering pedestrians and other drivers by driving recklessly. In the second example, the gun owner is endangering the child by leaving a loaded gun within reach. In the third example, the person starting the fire is endangering everyone in the area by not taking proper precautions.