When to Hire a Lawyer and Fight your Violation

There are many different factors to consider when you’re trying to decide whether or not to try to fight a traffic ticket in traffic court. Your previous driving record is an important consideration, and whether or not this ticket will affect your ability to drive. Also, the type of charge is important. Some tickets are just civil offenses and at worst can cost you a fine and points against your license, but others are misdemeanors or felonies that are criminal charges and will give you a criminal record.

Will the Violation Affect Your Drivers License?

The most frequent reason people hire a traffic tickets attorney is when they're facing a suspended or revoked license. Paying a fine is one thing, but not being able to drive legally is a major burden on everyday life. A good Traffic Lawyer can help you save your license. Additionally, if you've already lost your drivers license, a traffic attorney can appeal to the ticket court and DMV to get it reinstated.

Either way, keeping, or getting your license back is very important, because if you ever have to drive, and you get pulled over without being licensed, the penalties get very harsh very fast.

Civil or Criminal Charge?

The first step in determining how to proceed with your traffic ticket is to determine what kind of charge it is. Minor infractions are just civil charges, like speeding or making an illegal turn, for instance. You can contact a lawyer to discuss the options if you wish, but if it’s your first ticket and it’s not going to do serious damage to your driving record, you might find it’s unnecessary to do so. Often you can pay the fine and sign a paper to put yourself under court supervision, or some similar arrangement. Typically if you don’t commit another offense within 12 months, the ticket is removed from your record.

For misdemeanors, however, you might want to consult a lawyer for advice, at least. Then you’ll know what can happen going in, and you’ll be prepared for anything the prosecutor might offer you. Many times misdemeanors can be pled down to a civil charge if you agree, and that will help you avoid a criminal record. Having a lawyer with you can be helpful, too. But if you don’t have a lawyer and the prosecutor makes you an offer, most will allow you time to consider the offer and consult with an attorney.

If your ticket, whether civil or misdemeanor, requires a court appearance and you received the ticket somewhere that’s far away or inconvenient, you may be able to hire a lawyer to appear for you, whether or not you intend to fight the traffic ticket. Often that’s less expensive and more convenient that traveling back to appear. In some jurisdictions, you may not be able to do this.

Felony Traffic Charges

If you’re charged with a felony, don’t hesitate to hire a lawyer. Not only can conviction of this charge affect your driving record and often your ability to drive, it will give you a felony criminal record that can affect you for the rest of your life. Having a felony charge against you can even make it more difficult to get a good job years down the road. If you can’t afford a lawyer, the court must appoint one for you because you have the legal right to a defense when the ticket is for a criminal rather than civil charge.

Also, anytime you choose to appeal a ticket, whether civil or criminal, you’ll want a lawyer. It can often be difficult to get a traffic ticket dismissed, but it’s even harder to get the decision changed in an appeal.

• If you need help with a Traffic Violation Problem, click here to consult with a Traffic Lawyer near you to discuss the details of your case. This website is for informational purposes only and nothing stated here should be taken as legal advice.