how to choose best lawyer for speeding ticket

by Dwight Beer 10 min read

Check the attorney's background and find out if they graduated from a quality law school. Be cautious of a lawyer who does not set forth his or her education and prior experience. A good and honest traffic attorney will inquire whether it even makes sense for you to fight this ticket and/or hire an attorney.

Full Answer

How much does a speeding ticket attorney cost?

Sep 12, 2021 · 1.1.1.1 If you need to go to court for your traffic offense, it is important to find a knowledgeable traffic ticket attorneys to represent you in the best possible way. 1.1.1.1.1 First, you can choose to fight your ticket by challenging its legality.

When to hire a traffic ticket lawyer?

Mar 27, 2020 · We choose lawyers based on your locality, so it’s guaranteed that you will connect with someone who intimately knows the traffic laws in your region. All you have to do is download the app, snap a photo of your ticket, answer a few brief questions, and wait for your match.

What to say in court for a speeding ticket?

Check the attorney's background and find out if they graduated from a quality law school. Be cautious of a lawyer who does not set forth his or her education and prior experience. A good and honest traffic attorney will inquire whether it even makes sense for you to fight this ticket and/or hire an attorney.

How do you get a copy of a traffic ticket?

Call (919) 775-5653 or contact us and set up a consultation to speak with an experienced speeding ticket lawyer about your case. Call (919) 775-5653 or send us a message to set up a consultation to speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your case. Contact Us.

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What Do Traffic Attorneys Do?

You probably already know that most lawyers specialize in one or a few areas of law. Traffic lawyers specialize in the rules and regulations binding motorists on the public roads.

Are Traffic Lawyers Worth the Money?

Lawyers handle billing differently for traffic tickets. Their rates vary based on the complexity of your case and the location in which you were ticketed. Many firms charge an hourly rate to represent you in court to fight your ticket. Others apply a flat fee.

Tips for Finding a Lawyer

Finding a good lawyer can feel like a wild goose chase - but it shouldn’t have to.

Handle Your Ticket Off The Record!

At Off The Record, we’ve found an innovative way to handle speeding tickets outside of the traditional court process. To do this, we’ve developed an app (for iOS or Android, or old-fashioned web) that connects you with an experienced traffic lawyer in your area.

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

Why do you not automatically discount an attorney?

Do not automatically discount an attorney because his principle office is located in another county than where you are charged. This does not automatically discredit the attorneys ability to help because attorneys often practice in several judicial districts.

What is the most common complaint from clients?

The most common complaint from clients is that their attorney does not keep them informed. Make sure the attorney is agreeable to speak directly with you about your case and has open channels to communicate outside of business hours in case an emergency arises and contact with your lawyer is necessary.

What to do if you fight a speeding ticket?

If you plan to fight the ticket, you’ll have to go to court, where a prosecutor will have to prove you were speeding. Even if you think the ticket is unjustified, speeding violations are hard to beat. If the officer doesn’t show up at the hearing, you could be off the hook, but don’t rely on that. If you ask for a hearing, plan to make your case ...

How much does a traffic lawyer cost?

A traffic lawyer costs between $250 and $350 on average nationally, according to Thumbtack, an online marketplace for service professionals. A speeding ticket costs anywhere from $50 up to $2,500 in some states in the severest cases.

What to do if a police officer doesn't show up?

If the officer doesn’t show up at the hearing, you could be off the hook, but don’t rely on that. If you ask for a hearing, plan to make your case and be questioned before a judge. Check the ticket to find out whether a state, county or local officer issued it and search online for traffic procedures in that jurisdiction.

Is it bad to pay $50 for a speeding ticket?

If you decide to pay the speeding ticket. Although paying a $50 ticket might not seem that bad, consider the true cost of a speeding ticket. Besides paying the initial fee, after a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. For instance, NerdWallet’s 2020 rate study found that:

What is mitigation in court?

“Mitigation” is making a deal with the prosecutor and court; it saves the jurisdiction money by avoiding a hearing while lowering your penalty for the ticket. You may be able to request a negotiation before or at your hearing, but it’s the court’s decision, so check on the court’s website or call to be sure. In some areas, you must request mitigation in writing.

Can you get a deferral for a ticket?

You could receive a deferral, in which case typically you’ll pay a fine and your ticket will be dismissed after a period of time if there are no further offenses. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the ticket. It won’t just go away on its own, and you’ll be in much bigger trouble with the law.

Can you get a speeding ticket if you are convicted?

Nobody wants to get a speeding ticket, and for good reason. If you’re convicted, a violation will: Affect your driving record, possibly resulting in suspension of your license. Cost money upfront: You’ll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees.

What does a traffic ticket lawyer do?

Even if you are facing a less serious infraction, you may still want to talk to a lawyer, especially if you've had multiple tickets in the past 3 years. Here are examples of what a lawyer can do for you if you've received a traffic ticket:

How much does a traffic lawyer cost?

There is no standard price to hire a lawyer for a traffic ticket. Some lawyers charge a flat rate to defend against certain violations, such as speeding. Others, especially those defending more complex cases, will charge an hourly rate.

Five questions to ask your traffic lawyer

Some large cities have law firms that work on nothing but traffic tickets. In some cases, this is a good place to start, since you know this is their area of expertise. If you don't know how to find a good traffic lawyer, you could ask for a referral from a friend, or check Avvo's directory for a lawyer near you.

How to pay a speeding ticket?

After you have safely arrived at your destination, read over the instructions on how to pay your speeding citation. Usually, you will have the option to pay online , by phone or at your local municipal courthouse. There should be a contact number listed on the ticket ...

What happens after you sign a speeding ticket?

On this ticket will appear your contact and personal information, the location of your offense, the officer’s name, the posted speed limit, the speed you were going when the officer first signaled you to pull over, and a preliminary court date for the offense. If any of your contact information is incorrect, notify the officer so that he or she can make the proper changes.

Do you have to notify your insurance company after a speeding ticket?

You may need to notify your automobile insurance company after being issued a speeding ticket. In many cases, your automobile insurance rate may increase after one or more speeding tickets. In the worst case scenario, an automobile insurance company may drop your policy if you are issued several speeding tickets in a short period of time.

Can you go to defensive driving school if you get a speeding ticket?

If the speeding ticket is your first, you may be allowed to attend defensive driving school in exchange for the fine. You can call your local municipal courthouse to find out more information about enrolling. This possibility is only available in certain areas.

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