All drivers know that any type of traffic violation comes with penalties, and major violations can include penalties that might be higher and can be potentially criminal.
However, not only major violations can harm your driving record, your insurance rates, accessibility to rental cars, as well as your future driving rights and privileges.
According to The Zebra’s analysis of 61 million rates across the United States, your car insurance rates can become higher for some violations.
For instance, a rate increase of 82.2 per cent ($1,209) for hit-and-run violations, and 74.1 per cent ($1,089) for refusing to take a breathalyzer test. In these cases, companies may elect to cancel a policy even on renewal.
Article Summary
What Does A Traffic Ticket Lawyer Do?
You have rights when it comes to speeding tickets and other traffic offenses, according to speeding tickets lawyer Blair E. Cody III. Anyone who decides to not waive that right can contest a traffic ticket in court.
It’s more daunting than you might think but the process is also simple and can prevent a huge amount of time, money and inconvenience down the road.
If you have received a citation, then there is no greater advice than to consult a qualified traffic lawyer about your case. Traffic lawyers can offer you the legally extensive assistance that you need to navigate the procedures involved and make informed decisions that would be in your best interests regarding your traffic ticket.
Here we describe what a traffic lawyer does and how you can use their services to manage the process and prevent more severe harm to your license.
The Role of a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
One of the most important roles of a traffic ticket lawyer is to look at the facts surrounding your ticket, and determine what is in your particular case based on the evidence against you, and any defenses that can be raised to the charges.
A traffic ticket lawyer near you can also help to educate you regarding the law in your jurisdiction, explaining the applicable provisions and how it applies to your case, and what you could potentially be facing.
The lawyer can make arguments on your behalf to a judge, cross-examine witnesses and discuss the facts of your case with you. Your lawyer can even advocate for lighter punishment and present your case to a judge. Given a lawyer’s technical skills, knowledge and experience, you can dramatically improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.
Common Reasons to Seek the Help of a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
There are many reasons for which you can decide to hire a traffic ticket attorney. Here are some of them.
Wrongly accused of a traffic violation
The worst case scenario is that you end up with an erroneous traffic ticket and seem to have little choice but to pay the fine or have your insurance premiums go up. In this case, a lawyer who specializes in traffic ticket disputes can help you find the proof you need, create a persuasive defense against the charges and get you off the hook.
License suspension or revocation
Traffic violations usually cause you to incur points on your driving record, and you risk losing driving privileges if you collect too many points. As a traffic ticket lawyer, my job is to keep the violation from sticking to your driving record, and keep your penalties at bay.
Should you desire an outcome different from that written on the ticket if you possess a CDL, employ the help of a traffic ticket attorney if you receive a traffic ticket.
You might know more than just a motorist has to know in order to keep his or her commercial driver’s license and a traffic ticket can seriously jeopardize a livelihood. Hiring a traffic ticket lawyer who specializes in CDL violations can be the difference between keeping your job and losing your commercial license.
When your insurance rates are at stake
And for single incidents, one bad ticket can cause your insurance rate to go through the roof because these points are assessed for each separate violation, and a lawyer can negotiate with the prosecutor or even take your case to trial to get your charges reduced or dismissed, helping to avoid those higher car insurance premiums.
Benefits of Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
A traffic ticket lawyer is well-versed in the law pertaining to traffic. He has knowledge and experience of what might constitute a traffic offense and he often has a good idea of the other charges that the police were considering and why, in the end, they went with one instead of another.
He’ll help you understand what offense you’re being charged with and what punishment you are most likely to incur if convicted.
They can communicate on your behalf with the prosecutor and negotiate for lesser charges and/or a fine, which might result in a better outcome such as a lesser fine, fewer ‘points’ on your driving record or perhaps even getting the ticket dropped.
A traffic ticket lawyer can save you that time and effort. He or she can do all the paperwork, collect the necessary evidence, and represent you in court and you can carry on with the rest of your life in the knowledge that the legal side is under control.
You can also save money by hiring them in the long run. While it could cost you to hire bail bonds agents, trouble can be avoided in the long run because their experience can help them reduce the amount of fine you can be charged with, or the amount of your insurance premium that needs to go up.
How To Choose the Right Traffic Ticket Lawyer for Your Case
Consider these factors of your specific case
Experience. Find yourself a traffic ticket lawyer who has experience – experience in traffic ticket cases. A lawyer who is experienced with driving-related offenses will have a good understanding of the relevant traffic laws, the regulations and the administrative processes governing traffic tickets, how the legal system works, and how to approach the prosecutors regarding a reduction or dismissal of your case.
The character of the lawyer. Reading up on the reviews and feedback from previous clients will help to give you an indication of the professionalism and effectiveness of a given lawyer. The best lawyers will have a good reputation for treating their clients with respect and dedication.
The amount of time your lawyer has to spend on your case. Obviously, most people want to hire a busy and highly regarded lawyer with a vast amount of experience who’ll perform well in court. However, the busiest lawyers are also the hardest to get on the phone, and you might be dealing with an assistant most of the time.
Cost of a traffic ticket lawyer, including fees
It is of course essential to locate a traffic ticket lawyer who fits within your budget, it is important not to make that your sole criteria, as sometimes the cheapest option may not be the best. Find a lawyer who is willing to provide a transparent fee structure and who is comfortable explaining and detailing out how their fees are calculated.
Conclusion
When a traffic ticket is given to you, a traffic ticket lawyer can be your best friend because in dealing with the legal system, he has the knowledge and experience to negotiate the best possible result.
With the help of a traffic ticket lawyer you can greatly improve your odds of avoiding excessive fines, a suspension of your license, a charge on your insurance, reduced sentencing or even getting your case dismissed.
If you have received a ticket for a traffic violation, you could ask for help from a traffic ticket lawyer.
