does it matter which lawyer choose for a ticket

by Gabrielle Sipes 10 min read

The rate at which a lawyer bills a driver for handling a traffic ticket matter will depend on a number of factors, such as what the traffic ticket is for, if they were charged with a crime in addition to the traffic ticket, the rate of traffic ticket lawyers in a particular jurisdiction, and the method that a specific law firm or lawyer uses to bill their clients.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer for a traffic ticket?

Whether you actually need a lawyer depends on your specific situation. You have three options for responding to a payable ticket in Maryland, including: Paying the fine and pleading “Guilty” to the infraction Requesting a waiver hearing to plead “Guilty” with …

Is it cheaper to hire an attorney to get a ticket reduced?

In general, the more serious that a traffic violation is, the more useful it might be to retain the services of a traffic ticket lawyer. A lawyer can also be useful for a driver who received a ticket in a city or state that is not in the location wherein they normally reside. For instance, if a driver gets a ticket in a state that is far away from where they actually live, then they can hire a traffic …

Should I hire a lawyer to contest a parking ticket?

If you plan to fight your speeding ticket, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer who can either defend you at court or negotiate a deal and potentially get your case dismissed. If you have multiple speeding tickets on your record, the penalties for speeding violations can become more severe, with higher fines under PA 75 § 3362, points on your record under PA 75 § 1535, and …

Can I represent myself in court to contest a traffic ticket?

To find out if it is worth getting lawyer for speeding ticket, you should compare the cost of hiring a traffic attorney verses the cost of the ticket. Also, be aware of the fact that hiring an attorney does not guarantee that the speeding ticket would be dismissed. Therefore, you may end up paying the attorney's fees on top of the ticket fine

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How to fight a traffic ticket?

A driver planning to fight a traffic ticket should know: 1 A local attorney is the best option. Local lawyers who routinely work in the court where the case is handled is a better option because they know the other people involved in your case, such as the judge and the police officers. 2 Beware of legal plans with reduced fees. Prepaid legal services give members legal fees at a reduced rate. However, the lawyer involved may know little about traffic court. Also, the reduced fee may only be to consult, not represent the driver. 3 Never rush to hire a lawyer. Rushing may hinder a driver in finding the best lawyer.

What to do if you are charged with a misdemeanor?

If you are charge with a misdemeanor, felony or DUI, then you should seek legal representation. Also if you are facing jail time because of a serious charge, you should seek legal representation. Find the Right Criminal Lawyer. Hire the right lawyer near your location.

What is legal position?

A lawyer will listen to the facts of the situation before analyzing your legal position. The term “legal position” how the ticket can resolve in your favor. Receiving advice will help determine how to proceed with contesting the traffic ticket.

Can a traffic ticket raise your insurance?

Traffic tickets can be expensive and they may even raise your insurance rates or affect points on your license. An experienced lawyer will be able to explain your rights, help build your case, and represent your best interests in court. Post Your Case - Get Answers from Multiple Criminal Defense Lawyers.

What is prepaid legal services?

Prepaid legal services give members legal fees at a reduced rate. However, the lawyer involved may know little about traffic court. Also, the reduced fee may only be to consult, not represent the driver. Never rush to hire a lawyer. Rushing may hinder a driver in finding the best lawyer.

Do I need a lawyer for a traffic ticket?

You do not need a lawyer for a traffic ticket, but a traffic ticket lawyer will be able to argue and get a lower fine, which can make a huge difference in how much you pay for the ticket. A lawyer can also help get the case dismissed and the ticket thrown out which will help your insurance rates stay put and you wouldn’t need to attend traffic ...

Who is the attorney for speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?

If you are considering getting a lawyer for a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania, contact McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. at (610) 991-7219. Attorney David McKenzie is a former prosecutor who will fight to help you keep your license and reduce the impact a speeding ticket will have on your future.

What happens if you have multiple speeding tickets?

If you have multiple speeding tickets on your record, the penalties for speeding violations can become more severe, with higher fines under PA 75 § 3362, points on your record under PA 75 § 1535, and possibly the loss of your driver’s license. You may want to get a lawyer for a speeding ticket as they have an in-depth understanding ...

Is it expensive to hire a lawyer?

While many people are under the assumption that hiring a lawyer is cost-prohibitive, in many cases, it is far less expensive than the alternative. Losing the case could mean points on your license, resulting in high insurance premiums for years to come. You might also face a license suspension.

What does it mean when you get a speeding ticket?

A ticket can mean points added to your license, which can mean an increase in your insurance rates that could last for years after you receive the speeding ticket, especially if you are a young driver.

Can a lawyer help you get a speeding ticket?

A lawyer knows the steps to take to gather evidence in your case and knows how to properly file paperwork. By taking these steps on your behalf, a lawyer can save you time and let you focus on your normal, everyday activities, and your family.

What happens if your license is suspended?

If your license becomes suspended, you could be facing the high cost and inconvenience of finding alternative means of transportation. The loss of your job over a ticket may even be a possibility, as your contract may state that you cannot be found guilty of a moving violation.

Can a speeding ticket be reduced?

Depending on your record, such as whether you have received multiple recent speeding tickets, the prosecutor may be more willing to agree to reduced charges in order to avoid the time and expense of going to trial. A lawyer may be able to help you avoid a suspended license or expensive fines if you agree to a lesser charge like a nonmoving violation or if you agree to attend a traffic school.

What happens if you are charged with a felony?

If you're charged with a felony, you should seek legal representation. The most serious violations carry the potential of more than a year in prison, steep fines, and a criminal record. Felony violations include hit-and-run incidents, vehicular homicide, and, in many states, repeat DUI offenses.

What is the penalty for a minor violation?

These minor violations can be resolved with a fine of $80 to $400 and possibly mandatory time in traffic school. They carry no possibility of jail time, but may result in negative points against your driving record. Examples of statutory offenses include running a red light, driving over the speed limit, or making an illegal lane change.

What are the two types of traffic stops?

There are two types of traffic stops: moving violations and nonmoving violations. Moving violations are offenses that occur when the car is in motion, such as speeding or failing to signal a turn. Nonmoving violations include parking in front of a fire hydrant or having expired tags. From this point, traffic violations fall into one of the following 3 categories:

Can you argue your case in court?

In most states, if you choose to argue your case in court, you will have the right to state your version of events and challenge the charging officer's version. In a few states, the officer is not required to appear in court for minor violations, making shedding doubt on the officer's version difficult. In many states, you or your lawyer will be able to question the officer, who must be present at your hearing.

Traffic Ticket Attorney Experience

It is imperative that you get a handle on what kind of experience any lawyer you are interviewing has. Do they know the local court system? Do they specialize in speeding tickets? Etc. You should be able to get those answers from the attorney. You can easily find metairie speeding ticket lawyers here.

Expected Outcomes

You will want to ask your potential traffic ticket lawyer what they feel is a fair outcome of your case. Knowing this will keep you from having unrealistic expectations and therefore allow you to have a preliminary result in your head and perhaps better prepare for the future after the outcome.

Getting Prepared

A good speeding ticket lawyer will make sure you are prepared for your hearing. He or she will ask you to take any classes or certification based courses to expel points on your license. Completing a class may just save you from having your license suspended.

Traffic Ticket Lawyer Pricing

To make sure you’re not getting ripped off, you should schedule at least three meetings with different lawyers. This will give you an idea of what the going rate is for fighting a speeding ticket. You can call several places as well and try and get some quotes over the phone.

What are the advantages of hiring a lawyer?

Advantages of Hiring a Lawyer 1 You don't have to go to traffic court and you don't have to keep track of court dates. In most situations, your presence is not required at a contested hearing. The attorney will appear on your behalf and keep track of all court dates. 2 Prevent against raising your insurance premium. Many people think that hiring an attorney is too costly because most times, the cost of hiring an attorney is more than the face value of the traffic ticket. But this cost is far less than the cost to your insurance and your driving record if you admit to the violation and pay the fine. 3 Knowledge and expertise. A great number of tickets and officer reports are written up imperfectly. Since a certain amount of gamesmanship is involved in defending a traffic ticket, an attorney is always in the best position to look at the evidence and determine the best legal or technical arguments to make in front of a particular judge in a particular court. An attorney will know which errors or omissions on the traffic ticket or officer's report will be fatal to the state or city's case.

Do you have to go to traffic court?

You don't have to go to traffic court and you don't have to keep track of court dates. In most situations, your presence is not required at a contested hearing. The attorney will appear on your behalf and keep track of all court dates.

What is a traffic attorney?

An attorney who specializes in traffic offenses knows the players, and the ever-changing laws and the processes by which cases are resolved in local traffic courts. Prosecutors are more likely to dismiss the charges against you when a traffic lawyer represents you. Prosecutors often take advantage of people who aren't represented by legal counsel. An experienced traffic attorney works to obtain the best possible outcome for your case. Their goal is to get the citation dismissed or at least reduced to a non-moving violation.

How to apply for public defender?

A defendant who plans to seek a court-appointed public defender should bring the following documents to court: 1 A current pay stub if they are employed 2 W-2 forms from the prior year 3 Any proof of income received from disability, social security or public assistance from the government 4 Receipts for rental, lease or mortgage payments, utility bills and medical insurance costs

What is a traffic ticket lawyer?

In particular, a traffic ticket attorney specializes in laws related to driving; such lawyers defend traffic court cases varying from routine moving violations (such as running a traffic light) to more serious situations (such as driving under the influence ). Regardless of the violation circumstances, a seasoned lawyer works to reduce your traffic ...

How to get a traffic ticket dismissed?

Because they're familiar with the traffic laws, many traffic ticket lawyers can get a ticket dismissed if: 1 The issuing officer doesn't appear in court. 2 You agree to plea to another less serious non-moving violation. 3 You comply with an unsupervised probationary period.

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