what to look out for when finding a traffic lawyer

First, look for an attorney that concentrates their practice in traffic law and regularly appears in the court your ticket will be contested in. Good results in these cases are often about relationships. Second, they give you a free consultation and quote you a flat fee up front to handle the case beginning to end.

Full Answer

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

Traffic Lawyer Goals. 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 ).

Should I hire a lawyer for a traffic ticket?

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 . As appealing as hiring a traffic ticket lawyer sounds, you still must determine whether the attorney's fee is worth the possibility of avoiding the ticket penalties.

Can a traffic lawyer waive their fees?

However, some traffic lawyers waive their fees in the event they're unable to successfully fight your case; of course, you must be clear on what the lawyer considers “successful."

Do I need a public defender for a traffic violation?

Public defenders, or court-appointed attorneys, are lawyers who help people who can't afford private legal defense. Generally, drivers don't hire public defenders to contest less serious moving violations, such as running a stop sign; depending on your local government policies, a public defender might not even be an option for such cases.

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 should a lawyer know about a case?

Your lawyer should let you know the likely outcome in your case,. That can include anything from communicating the effects any decisions or convictions can have on your insurance to answering questions you have regarding the process.

Do you discount a lawyer for traffic violations?

However, do not automatically discount a lawyer because his office is located in another district or county, as this does not automatically mean they can’t help since attorneys often practice in several judicial districts.

Can an attorney represent you in a jury trial?

An attorney who has never been exposed to advocating for clients in an adversarial setting such as a jury trial may not be able to represent you and ensure your rights are protected.