Traffic Law
1. How can a lawyer help with a traffic ticket?
On routine traffic tickets, a lawyer can often negotiate a plea agreement with the Court Prosecutor which can either avoid a conviction or points appearing on your official driving record. While you may still pay some fine, court costs, or have to attend a class or program, keeping your record clean is well worth it.
Traffic convictions can lead to higher auto insurance rates and if you accumulate too many points on your driving record your driving privileges can be suspended or revoked.
A lawyer can also try to help you avoid other consequences of more serious traffic offenses.
Of course, in those cases where you are not guilty, a lawyer can assist you in preparing a defense for trial or perhaps persuading authorities to dismiss the case.
2. When does it make sense to hire a lawyer for a traffic ticket?
We regularly represent clients with virtually any type of moving violation, from such serious matters as Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Revoked, and Driving While Suspended to more ordinary offenses like Speeding, Failure To Yield, Stop Sign Violations, Following Too Closely, Failure To Register, and Failure To Maintain Proof Of Insurance. A lawyer can help with almost any traffic ticket.
3. How much does it cost? Isn’t it expensive to hire a lawyer?
Because we handle traffic law matters on a volume basis, we are able to offer our clients discounted flat rate fees that make competent legal representation far more affordable than most people realize. For a routine Speeding ticket, the attorney fee may be as low as $100 or $125. Payments arrangements can also be made on a case by case basis. Attorney fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.
4. Will I have to go to court?
That depends on a number of things. On less serious matters in most court jurisdictions, we can resolve your matter without your having to personally appear in court. But the rules regarding when you must appear vary from court to court and from offense to offense. We will be certain to advise if and when you are required to be in court. Please know we will try our best to avoid any unnecessary court appearances by you.
5. Why do I need a lawyer? Can’t I negotiate a plea agreement on my own?
Sometimes it is possible for a private citizen to negotiate a plea agreement directly with a Prosecutor, or to talk a judge into a favorable result on their traffic ticket. However, most Prosecutors prefer to deal with other lawyers as this is far more efficient. Your lawyer also will also know if the agreement is one which is fair and protects your interests. If we can appear in court for you, it will save you valuable time.
6. Can you guarantee me a break on my Traffic Ticket?
We can never promise a specific result. Our clients pay us for legal representation and our best efforts. The actual outcome of a case depends on the discretionary decisions of court prosecutors and judges whom we can only do our best to persuade. Other factors, including a client’s prior driving record and the circumstances surrounding why the traffic ticket was issued to you are also important. When we make a prediction, it is only that, never a guarantee.