how to look for a good traffic lawyer

by Prof. Golden Doyle 7 min read

  • Location. Local attorneys are familiar with your area's traffic codes, and they're more likely to understand the actions of the area's police officers and judges.
  • Experience. How long has the lawyer been practicing? ...
  • Success. ...
  • Participation.
  • As you talk with various attorneys, get a feel for how much they'll include you in the process. ...

The best traffic ticket lawyers have clear fee structures
They should clearly explain there are no hidden fees for things such as continuances, consults, phone calls, copying, postage, etc.
May 26, 2014

Full Answer

What do you need to know about being a traffic lawyer?

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. A good traffic lawyer should be able to quickly tell you whether a …

Can a lawyer represent you in traffic court without being present?

Best Traffic Ticket Lawyers Near Me - Attorney Ratings | FindLaw. Enter legal issue and location. Search for legal issues. Search for legal issues. Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select. More Options. Name Search. Browse Legal Issues.

What should I look for when looking for an attorney?

Sep 09, 2019 · Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs. Some ads also will help you determine a lawyer’s area of expertise. Other ads will quote a fee or price range for handling a specific type of “simple” case.

Do I need a lawyer to contest a traffic ticket?

Once you've weighed the pros and cons, and determined if the cost of the lawyer is worth it to you, take a look at some additional factors to consider when hiring a traffic ticket lawyer: Location . Local attorneys are familiar with your area's traffic codes, and they're more likely to understand the actions of the area's police officers and judges.

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What should I look for in a good lawyer?

7 Qualities to Look For in a LawyerExperience. Although it's not essential to find an expert in your particular field, it makes sense to look for someone who specializes in small-business problems as opposed to, say maritime law. ... Understanding. ... Ability to communicate. ... Availability. ... Rapport. ... References. ... Reasonable fees.Feb 28, 2013

How do I know if I hired a good lawyer?

Experience. When hiring an attorney for any type of personal injury claim, it's in your best interest to find someone with a depth and breadth of experience. ... Results. ... Trial Victories. ... Honesty. ... Integrity. ... Objectivity. ... Pragmatic Optimism. ... Creativity.More items...•Nov 19, 2021

How do I find a good local lawyer?

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

How much does a traffic lawyer cost in Texas?

Each state and county varies. For example, in North Carolina, the average lawyer fee is around $130. In Texas, the average lawyer fee is around $112, and in New York the average is around $315.Aug 3, 2018

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What should you ask the lawyer before hiring a lawyer?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•Apr 13, 2018

What source online would you think is the most reliable for finding a quality lawyer?

Best for Finding a Lawyer FindLaw Every legal issue requires a different type of attorney and the best place to find them all is FindLaw. The online directory lists hundreds of U.S. attorneys in 119 specific areas of law, making it easy to find the most qualified practitioner for your case.

Who is the most famous lawyer?

Famous Lawyers You Should KnowRobert Shapiro. Robert Shapiro is one of the best-known lawyers in American history. ... Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall was one of the most famous lawyers in American history. ... Woodrow Wilson. ... Johnnie Cochran. ... William Howard Taft. ... Andrew Jackson. ... Abraham Lincoln. ... Robert Kardashian.More items...

How much is a lawyer?

You can pay anywhere from $50 to thousands per hour. Smaller towns and cities generally cost less while heavily populated, urban areas are most expensive. The more complicated the case and the more experienced the attorney, the more you'll pay. Lawyer fees can range from $255 to $520 per hour.

Should I get a lawyer for a speeding ticket NC?

It is advised to consult with a traffic citation defense attorney in North Carolina to help you fight a traffic ticket to avoid fines, additional points on your driving record, license suspension, and other consequences associated with admitting guilt to a traffic violation.Dec 30, 2020

How much does a traffic lawyer cost in CT?

Let Us Fight Your Connecticut Traffic Ticket For You! Complete defense for non-moving violations starting as low as $49 (plus court costs, if any).

What should I look for when choosing a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem.

Are there any practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer?

Yes, the lawyer’s area of expertise and prior experience are important. Many states have specialization programs that certify lawyers as specialists in certain types of law.

Where should I start to look for a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Are advertisements a good place to look for a lawyer?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs.

What about a local referral service?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan. What can I expect?

Legal services, like many other things, are often less expensive when bought in bulk. Some employers, labor and credit unions, and other groups have formed “legal insurance” plans. These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters.

I want to hire a lawyer, but I do not have much money. Where can I find low-cost legal help?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income.

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 Nolo lawyer directory?

Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.

What is a lawyer referral service?

Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened.

How to find a lawyer for a lawsuit?

Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: 1 The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 2 The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. 3 A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. 4 A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

How much does a lawyer charge an hour?

Lawyers, of course, are prime sources of this information, but if you bought all the needed information at their rates -- $150 to $450 an hour -- you'd quickly empty your bank account.

What can a law librarian do?

A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

Do lawyers work with you?

Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up.

Can lawyers be terrible communicators?

Unfortunately, the complaint logs of all lawyer regulator y groups indicate that many lawyers are terrible communicators. If every time you have a problem there's a delay of several days before you can talk to your lawyer on the phone or get an appointment, you'll lose precious time, not to mention sleep.

Why do you need a personal injury attorney?

Regardless of whether you think your injuries are minor or major, hiring a personal injury attorney gives you leverage in negotiating that you would not otherwise have with insurance companies. Personal injury attorneys give you an advantage because they can hire experts such as doctors, accident reconstruction experts, and property damage experts that help prove your case, they have the resources to do that, which will be covered by the proportionally larger settlement.

Why are car accident victims reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney?

Research shows that car accident victims, particularly those with perceived "minor" injuries , are reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney for a number of reasons. Perhaps they don't think they need one, they are intimidated by the prospect of talking to a lawyer, or they don't want to get dragged into court like they see on TV shows.

Why hire a workers compensation lawyer in Arizona?

The simple reason to hire a workers' compensation lawyer when there is a work-related car accident is that many, many personal injury lawyers in Arizona do not understand nor know workers' compensation benefits.

How do insurance adjusters help victims?

Insurance companies will quickly have adjusters reach out to victims after a wreck and use tricks to have the injured victim say something against their interest that they can later use in court. If the injured victim hires a lawyer, however, the insurance company can no longer reach out to the victim and has to talk to their attorney. This way the victim can get the medical attention they need and focus on their recovery rather than deal with an insurance company that doesn't have their interest at heart.

What does an attorney do for an accident?

From the initial talks with the insurance companies, to settlement negotiations, to the trial (if it even gets that far), an attorney will know what to say and more importantly, what not to say.

Why do people hire lawyers?

There are many reasons to hire a lawyer after even a moderate car accident injury. First, it takes the problem off of the plate of the injured person and gives the injured person peace of mind that it will be handled correctly. After an injury, the injury victim's world is turned upside down.

How do insurance companies use computers?

Insurance companies use computers to generate what a person's personal injury case is worth. That makes little to no sense as no two humans and no two injuries are the exact same. An experienced and trial-proven lawyer will assess the value of the particular case and negotiate a fair settlement. What's more valuable is if that negotiation fails, the lawyer is able to pursue the case to court. And that's the most important tool an injured person has—the ability to go to court.

What is an individual lawyer?

Individual lawyers (also called attorneys) are experts in different areas of the law. Some attorneys specialize in a certain field of law, such as business, civil, criminal, or juvenile law. You will need to determine which type of attorney is right for your legal situation.

How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

Keep in mind, Chapter 7 bankruptcy information stays on your credit report for 10 years. This can make it hard to get credit, buy a home, receive life insurance, or get a job. Learn more about bankruptcy, and other options for dealing with debt .

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.

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.

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.

Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a traffic ticket?

It generally depends on the circumstances. For many people, hiring an attorney for a traffic ticket is definitely worth the cost. However, in some situations, a driver is better off not spending the extra money to retain a lawyer. Here are some factors you might want to consider before making the call.

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.

What happens if you don't win a case?

Generally if you don’t win the case, the lawyer will waive his or her fees. Contingency may be charged as a flat percentage rate of any money you are awarded, or on a sliding scale, where the lawyer gets a higher percentage if the settlement is large, a lower percentage if the award is smaller.

What are the advantages of contingency law?

Travel expenses. The advantage of hiring a lawyer on contingency is that if you lose or are unable to settle your case, you will pay little or nothing. Your attorney will benefit financially only if you win your case and should be motivated to secure the greatest possible settlement for you.

What happens if you get in a car accident?

If you are in an car accident that results in injury and/or destruction of property, you may decide to sue for reimbursement for your pain, medical expenses, and lost wages. An attorney specializing in personal injury can help you navigate this process. Your attorney may be able to settle your case out of court, or you may end up going to trial before a judge or jury.

Do lawyers take percentages of gross awards?

Some lawyers take a percentage of the gross award -- the amount you are awarded before expenses are deducted -- while others will take a percentage of the net award, the amount you are left after court costs. Be sure to understand how your attorney has calculated fees before signing a contract.

Can an attorney settle a case out of court?

Your attorney may be able to settle your case out of court, or you may end up going to trial before a judge or jury. Most personal injury lawyers charge on contingency, which means that rather than paying costs up front, you agree to pay the case expenses and attorney fees from any settlement you receive.

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