What can I expect from a reckless driving ticket?

In your closing you finished your question with the term 'Thank You'. That is the best policy in this situation. You messed up and you should not have been spinning donuts. That was poor judgement, show the judge that you understand that it was poor judgement and out of character for you. You can even explain that you understand the risks involved. You could have lost control and hurt someone or yourself and that you deserve a break because you are young and trying to do the right thing now. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

You should be charged with a violation of Vehicle Code Section 23103 (b) also known as reckless driving. The code section reads as follows: 23103 . (a) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. (b) A person who drives a vehicle in an off-street parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12500, in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. (c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 40008, persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105. This is a misdemeanor as opposed to a speeding ticket which is an infraction. This means that you will go to misdemeanor court and not traffic court. You are also allowed an attorney. Talk to the Public defender assigned to the court. When you go to court you should attempt to attempt to have the charge reduced to expedition of speed or speeding. If you can get it reduced try to see if you can get traffic school. If you get it reduced to an infraction you will be doing well.

VC 23103 can result in up to 3 months in jail. But since it is a relatively minor misdemeanor, an experienced attorney can probably get it reduced to an infraction. Otherwise a misdemeanor is a criminal record that will show up in background checks.

No jailtime. Probably a hefty fine. Make sure your attorney lets the judge know you are wanting to go in the Air Force as that may well cut down on the fine. Good luck.