how to hire a lawyer for a traffic ticket

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.

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 ...

What can a seasoned lawyer do to reduce traffic ticket penalties?

Regardless of the violation circumstances, a seasoned lawyer works to reduce your traffic ticket penalties, negotiate alternative penalties, and/or dismiss the ticket altogether.

What does an attorney do?

Attorneys specialize in particular areas of the law— meaning they are well-versed in legal language and can use that knowledge and experience to identify flaws in the case brought against you (or at least lessen your penalties ).

Can an officer appear in court?

The issuing officer doesn't appear in court. You agree to plea to another less serious non-moving violation. You comply with an unsupervised probationary period. Understand that even if your ticket gets dismissed, the court still might require you to pay some or all the fines .

What is the best way to resolve a traffic citation?

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:

Where are traffic infractions prosecuted?

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:

Can I go to court for a citation?

However, most jurisdictions allow an attorney to appear in the defendant's place. Hiring an attorney to go to court to resolve the citation can save the motorist time, money, and hassle.

Who should be considered first in a traffic case?

Those who specialize in traffic or other related fields of law or work regularly with cases such as yours are also the ones who should be considered first. Make sure you do all the necessary vetting and research before you hire a lawyer. They might also try to convince you to purchase a legal plan at a reduced rate.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hire lawyers for more serious accusations rather than just a speeding ticket . However, those who are wrongfully accused may hire a lawyer to either get the case thrown out, lower the penalties, or even seek compensation. 2.

What to do if someone doesn't have your best interest at heart?

In such cases, do your best to research the offense and then apply tips in avoiding speeding tickets when you’re back on the road.

How can a lawyer help you?

3. How a Lawyer Can Help You 1 Negotiate – Lawyers are master negotiators since it’s a big part of their job. For more serious cases, your lawyer could cut your jail time in half or even get you off on probation/community service. For traffic tickets, it’s more likely that they will try to get the case thrown out or a reduced fine. 2 Consultation – Some lawyers offer a consultation at a reduced or even free price (if you have benefits). They can give you an honest and unbiased opinion about your case, and analyze several different approaches and outcomes for you to make an informed final decision. 3 Representation – Lastly, they and you can decide to move forward with the case, in which they will represent you in a court of law.

What is a consultation lawyer?

Consultation – Some lawyers offer a consultation at a reduced or even free price (if you have benefits). They can give you an honest and unbiased opinion about your case, and analyze several different approaches and outcomes for you to make an informed final decision.

How to make sure you make the best decision?

Follow these extra tips to make sure you make the best decision. Take your time – Always take your time. Not many good decisions in life are made in a hurry. It takes a while to process your case, so take the time to do some research.

Can a lawyer cut jail time?

For more serious cases, your lawyer could cut your jail time in half or even get you off on probation/community service. For traffic tickets, it’s more likely that they will try to get the case thrown out or a reduced fine.

They Know How to Get You Out of It

A well-established attorney has already dealt with multiple traffic tickets case and knows the right way to get their clients out of it.

Traffic Attorney Knows Your Rights

Do you know the rights and privileges you have as a driver in your state? Well, a lawyer is adept in traffic laws and can easily manipulate this to get your ticket reduced or dismissed.

They Are Less Expensive Than You Think

Most people think of paying boatloads of money when they hear of hiring an attorney. It might be true in some cases, but not when fighting for a traffic ticket. A traffic attorney is not too expensive for you; if they were, they wouldn’t exist.

They Can Get Your Traffic Ticket Reduced

Let’s be honest. What if you deserved the ticket, but you are charged hefty fines? Do you still have to pay them?

Experience Lawyers Intimidate Prosecutors

You’ve probably heard of the saying, “when the big brothers show up, bullies calm down.” That is what happens when you hire an experienced traffic ticket lawyer to represent you.

Traffic Attorney Will Represent You in Trial

If you are going to contest your traffic ticket, you will need to appear in court at least twice. However, with the right attorney, you don’t have to go to court at all. You won’t have to cancel all your schedules to appear in court since your attorney will do that on your behalf.

Hire a Lawyer to Fight Your Traffic Ticket

Getting a traffic ticket doesn’t imply that you are bound to pay. A skilled traffic lawyer can get the ticket reduced or dismissed altogether. While you may think you are guilty, having your ticket reduced or dismissed won’t hurt.

What to consider before hiring a traffic ticket lawyer?

1. Before Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer: Consider the Cost of the Ticket. Depending on how serious your offense is, the cost of the ticket might be less than you would pay a lawyer to fight it in court. For some people, that’s enough to motivate them to decide to pay the ticket instead of fighting it in court.

How long does a ticket stay on your record?

However, the offense will stay on your record for up to seven years, depending on where you live and the severity of the offense.

Is it better to hire a lawyer or not?

As such, if it is worth it to you, it may be a better option to hire a lawyer, even if it is more expensive. This may especially be the case if you have several offenses on your record, and another one will lead to further consequences such as loss or suspension of your license. 2.

Can I hire a traffic ticket lawyer?

If so, you may wish to consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney who can help you through the process. Unlike other crimes, you don’t have the right to a traffic ticket lawyer. As such, there are several factors to consider before deciding if a lawyer is the right one for you and your case, as you’ll be paying out of pocket.

Can a lawyer go to court without you?

Another thing to consider is whether you’d like the lawyer to go to court without you. Often, you won’t have to attend a hearing, and a lawyer will negotiate with the judge without your presence. You can, however, choose to be there if you wish.

How many times do you have to go to court for a traffic ticket?

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.

Why is it difficult to represent yourself in traffic court?

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.

What is a CDL driver?

Commercial Drivers. Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders drive for a living and are subject to stricter rules than other drivers. Under these rules, certain traffic violations can lead to CDL revocation. So, the stakes in traffic court for commercial drivers can be very high. With so much on the line, it would make sense to get an attorney ...

What is the difference between a minor traffic violation and a serious traffic violation?

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.

Is it worth hiring a traffic attorney?

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.

Can you contest a traffic ticket without an attorney?

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.

Do traffic lawyers win at trial?

Traffic lawyers with lots of trial experience are far more likely to win at trial than the average Joe or Jane. Simply put, attorneys who have spent countless hours in a courtroom and have knowledge of the law know what to focus on at trial. For non-lawyers, it's easy to get off track.

Options for Dealing with a Ticket

Generally, when you get a traffic ticket, you’ll have several options for resolving it. These typically include:

Deciding Whether to Hire an Attorney

Your decision on whether to hire a traffic attorney might depend on which option you choose for resolving your ticket. But it normally doesn’t hurt to at least talk to a lawyer before deciding. Many traffic attorneys offer prospective clients a free initial consultation, and you don’t have to hire an attorney you consult with.