For example, if you're eligible for traffic school and don't have a reasonable chance of beating your ticket, it's probably best to forgo hiring an attorney. Generally, you can sign up for traffic school without even going to court, so there isn't much benefit of having legal representation—you can just do it yourself.
Attorneys who spend lots of time in traffic court are familiar with the tendencies of the different judges and sometimes of the law enforcement officers who write the tickets. This local knowledge can prove valuable in deciding how to defend against a ticket.
The firms have names such as Remove Tickets (Dallas), The Ticket Clinic (Miami) and Traffic Lawyer (New York). These traffic ticket lawyers often devote their entire practice to traffic tickets, sometimes handling hundreds per day.
An Attorney Can Go to Traffic Court For You. If you decide to fight a traffic ticket, you’ll generally have to go to court at least twice. But if you hire an attorney, you typically won’t have to go to court at all. In other words, your attorney can represent you in court without you being present.
If you decide to fight a traffic ticket, you'll generally have to go to court at least twice. But if you hire an attorney, you typically won't have to go to court at all. In other words, your attorney can represent you in court without you being present.
One of the problems with representing yourself is the lack of experience and legal knowledge. The average person just doesn't know what the best courses of action are in a given case. Experienced traffic attorneys have the best idea of what tactics and options are available for obtaining good results. And, it's not all legal knowledge. Attorneys who spend lots of time in traffic court are familiar with the tendencies of the different judges and sometimes of the law enforcement officers who write the tickets. This local knowledge can prove valuable in deciding how to defend against a ticket.
There are some major differences between minor traffic violations (like speeding or running a stop sign) and more serious driving-related crimes like driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. In short, the consequences of a minor traffic violation conviction are generally much less severe than those for a DUI or other criminal charges. So, whereas you might be able to contest a traffic ticket without an attorney, fighting a serious charge like a DUI without legal representation typically isn't a good plan.
If you look below the surface, hiring an attorney has a number of benefits that, in many cases, can more than justify the expense. Also, some people have legal plans through their employers or union memberships that pay all or a portion of legal fees. If you can get an attorney you're happy with this way, it can be a good option.
In some circumstances, hiring a traffic attorney clearly isn't worth the expense. For example, if you're eligible for traffic school and don't have a reasonable chance of beating your ticket, it's probably best to forgo hiring an attorney. Generally, you can sign up for traffic school without even going to court, so there isn't much benefit of having legal representation—you can just do it yourself.
So, whereas you might be able to contest a traffic ticket without an attorney, fighting a serious charge like a DUI without legal representation typically isn't a good plan.
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From moving violations like speeding tickets, running red lights, or making an illegal left turn, to more serious violations like driving with a suspended license, traffic ticket attorneys can help in the following ways:
If you have received a traffic ticket and you are considering hiring an attorney, ask yourself the following questions:
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Hiring an attorney to provide representation in a traffic trial can increase the chances of getting a ticket dismissed. Attorneys who regularly represent clients in traffic violation cases are familiar with state traffic laws and have experience appearing in court, presenting evidence, and challenging the state's evidence.
A common alternative option to resolve a traffic citation is the completion of a traffic diversion program. The specifics vary by jurisdiction, but diversion programs generally require the motorist to:
Potential penalties generally include a fine, traffic school, and demerit points on the motorist's driving record.
Traffic infractions are generally prosecuted in traffic courts , where the procedures are typically less formal than in criminal courts. A motorist charged with a traffic infraction usually has several options for resolving the citation, including:
Initially, an attorney can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the case, identify options for resolving the ticket, and provide advice on how to reach the most favorable outcome for the defendant's particular situation.
An attorney can help convince the judge to reduce the amount of the fine. Additionally, an attorney might be able to reduce or eliminate the assessment of demerit points on the driver's record. Keeping points off of the motorist's record can help avoid increased insurance premiums and license suspension.
pleading guilty or no contest by delivering payment of the fine to the court (usually by mail or online) without personally appearing in court
Traffic lawyers know the players, the economic directives, the ever-changing laws and the processes by which cases get resolved in their local traffic courts. A case may be dismissed outright if: The issuing officer doesn't show up as complaining witness.
Traffic lawyers know the players, the economic directives, the ever-changing laws and the processes by which cases get resolved in their local traffic courts. A case may be dismissed outright if: 1 The issuing officer doesn't show up as complaining witness. 2 There is a bargain for a case dismissal in exchange for pleas on other nonmoving violations. 3 The defendant first agrees to an unsupervised probationary period and pays all or part of the fine.
The firms have names such as Remove Tickets (Dallas), The Ticket Clinic (Miami) and Traffic Lawyer (New York).
You probably aren't aware of it, but when you receive a moving violation, you enter the complex machinery of your local municipal or county traffic court, where negotiation is more the rule than the exception.
And if you're unfortunate enough to get ticketed, you might well see one to three dozen solicitations show up in your mailbox within the next week to 10 days.
As a result, even a speeding ticket today can be a high-stakes game for many motorists, especially those with recent priors. As more tickets are issued, more motorists more quickly approach either the financial pain threshold of fines, points and surcharges, plus the loss of their license -- or worse.
The federal government also has played a role in revving up traffic tickets.