Have peace of mind when facing traffic violation charges by appointing an attorney to fight your case
Traffic violations that attract traffic tickets are not civil lawsuits because such offense is a criminal offense and treated in a manner just like other criminal matters. So, if you are facing traffic ticket in Virginia, to wriggle out from the legal tangle in court you must appoint a Virginia speeding ticket attorney. Even if the attorney is from some other state, he or she must be familiar with the laws of the state because every state has its own traffic laws that are different from laws of other states. The reckless driving laws are among the harshest in the country which makes it more necessary to seek professional help from legal experts.
In Virginia, reckless driving is a Class I misdemeanor offense and the consequences can be quite serious if you are unable to represent your case in the court in a proper manner. Although the offense might appear to be minor, the fallout could be quite damaging because the punishments can range from a jail term to penalties and fines and can even result in suspension of your driving license. However, you should never take traffic ticket lightly and never pay for a reckless driving ticket unless you go through the court proceedings and get a chance to present your case. This has some benefits as discussed under.
Leave it to the experts
To fight your case in the court by yourself, you must have good knowledge about traffic laws that generally people do not have. The traffic laws are complicated, and when you are in trouble, it is not the time trying to learn the law, which even at other time is not easy. Since the lawyer is well conversant with traffic laws and traffic codes and has years of professional experience in handling judges, he or she can represent your case in a way that helps to avoid penalty or any punishment, provided there is no injury happening due to crossing the speed limit. They will understand the case and the circumstances of the incident, identify the legal loopholes and try their best to dilute the charges so that it does not amount to any penal offense.
Gathering information and evidence
Fighting a case in the court involves collecting lots of information and lining up evidence to build a favorable case and make light the charges. This something that only trained lawyers can handle. The lawyer knows about the resources to tap for gathering information and evidence that helps to build up the case in a favorable manner. The lawyer will then use his or her legal expertise to prove conclusively that although there might have been some violation, it does not amount to any serious offense that should attract major punishment. In such circumstances, there are high chances that you might escape with some light punishment and a reduced sentence.
Appointing a lawyer
Traffic violations are of many kinds, and the extent of punishment depends on the damages that have resulted from it or the damages to life and property that could happen from it. How to present the case in the court needs special legal acumen that only traffic lawyers possess because they only can interpret the situation and circumstances of traffic violation from a legal perspective. Criminal lawyers know the best ways of dealing even with the most critical cases so that they can provide relief to their clients which are also a way of building their reputation.
All lawyers are not the same, and you need to appoint someone who is best for you. To locate a competent lawyer to represent your case you can make a short list by browsing the internet and referring to reviews besides gathering references from dependable sources. Remember that appointing a lawyer is a critical decision in your life and you must do it very diligently because you cannot afford to make a mistake.
Look for experts in the field
Traffic violations might sound very simple but dealing it legally can be quite complex and challenging especially when interpreting the charges to build a favorable ground for making light of the serious charges. You must only choose lawyers who specialize in traffic laws because they would be most competent for handling the case. The legal processes for traffic violations can even lead to the seizure of driving license and loss of driving privileges which is the last thing that you want. The lawyer must be able to provide maximum relief by ensuring that you escape harsh punishment. For lawyers to perform at their best, they must have good knowledge about motor vehicle laws, traffic laws and everything related to it. Most importantly, the lawyer must be smart to identify the weaknesses in the case and take its advantage to influence the course of the judgment so that it brings relief to clients. The lawyer must have the ability to navigate clients to safe shores.
Court-appointed defense lawyer
Although criminal lawyers are costly, they only can bail you out from crisis even though it is not possible to assure it in advance. However, if you are not able to hire a criminal defense lawyer then also you can avail their services by going for a court-appointed defense lawyer. You can always approach the court to help you out with a criminal defense lawyer to make your legal representation in a traffic violation case. For court-appointed lawyers, you need not pay anything to the lawyer because the government pays for it. However, the court will only appoint a lawyer for you if you can adequately prove your financial inability to hire a layer.
Assured relief
Unless you are a first-time offender, or it is a routine traffic violation, you cannot do without help from defense lawyers who are champions in providing relief to their clients. Traffic violations can have long-term consequences because a criminal conviction stays on your personal record for 11 years.
If you are seeking dismissal of the case or escape with some light punishment, only a traffic lawyer can help to realize your goal.
How to Choose an Attorney to Fight my Speeding Ticket?
You got busted for speeding, now what?
There are many attorneys out there to help you fight a speeding ticket. Maybe you were in a rush to work or to pick up the kids from baseball practice you got pulled over? Perhaps you thought you were cruising along the highway at a leisurely pace to realize that you were doing 10 over the speed limit? Or you could have been driving with anger, and smokey saw you fly right by before he rolled up behind you with the flashing lights asking for your “license and registration”.
Then it’s time for you to find a lawyer who can take care of your speeding ticket.
Many people have used radar detectors over the years to avoid the speed detectors used by highway patrol and state police. They can be a great defense when you are traveling a long, winding, road or through the hillside. However, if the radar detector was unsuccessful in fighting the speeding ticket blues then it’s time to call an attorney from some relief. Even if you have the best radar detector on the market and still got busted, it’s time to find an experienced speeding ticket lawyer.
Traffic Ticket Attorney Reviews
Get reviews by conducting an internet search. You will want to be a bit wary when searching for reviews to make sure they are legitimate. This may take some sifting through a bit of nonsense until you get to the core. The best way to get a review of a lawyer is from someone you may know and trust. Getting it straight from the horse’s mouth is the best route to take, no doubt.
Traffic Ticket Attorney Experience
It is imperative that you get a handle on what kind of experience any lawyer you are interviewing has. Do they know the local court system? Do they specialize in speeding tickets? Etc. You should be able to get those answers from the attorney. Just remember to get a thorough and straight answer to these questions
Expected Outcomes
You will want to ask your potential traffic ticket lawyer what they feel is a fair outcome of your case. Knowing this will keep you from having unrealistic expectations and therefore allow you to have a preliminary result in your head and perhaps better prepare for the future after the outcome.
Getting Prepared
A good speeding ticket lawyer will make sure you are prepared for your hearing. He or she will ask you to take any classes or certification based courses to expel points on your license. Completing a class may just save you from having your license suspended. Your attorney should be preparing you to look your very best before the judge, which will undoubtedly help you attain a positive outcome.
Traffic Ticket Lawyer Pricing
To make sure you’re not getting ripped off, you should schedule at least three meetings with different lawyers. This will give you an idea of what the going rate is for fighting a speeding ticket. You can call several places as well and try and get some quotes over the phone.
What to Look for in a Speeding Ticket Attorney
The average speeding ticket can cost you around $150 but in some states, they can go as high as $2,500. On top of the costs, you could get a penalty of points or strikes on your record that could cause you to lose your license. If you can’t afford to go through this, you might want to hire a speeding ticket attorney.
While this might seem like overkill, hiring a lawyer for a speeding ticket isn’t as crazy as it seems. Because traffic laws are fairly straightforward, most attorneys can juggle a number of speeding ticket cases along with their normal caseload. Hiring a lawyer could end up costing you a fraction of what your ticket would cost.
If you’re interested in finding ways to get out of your most recent speeding ticket, a speeding ticket attorney could be the answer to your prayers. Here are 5 things to look for when hiring your lawyer.
1. Check Their Experience
While you might have a friend or relative who practices law, if they don’t know the ins and outs of traffic laws, it could be a waste of time and money. A lawyer who advertises that their firm handles lots of cases related to driving and vehicles will know what to do.
This is one case where the more experience they have, the less pricey they might be.
2. Get Real Reviews
Checking their website might be a good place to start to get information about your attorney but you won’t get sincere reviews there. You’ll only see the best of the best. While a firm like Rocky Law Firm knows the law inside and out and proves it on their website, not every site does that.
Many lawyers are posted on Google and Yelp now, so look for some relevant reviews there.
Sites like Avvo also allow for reviews of attorneys.
3. Ask About Expected Outcomes
Ask if they realistically could get your penalty reduced or if they think you have a strong case. While some attorneys will be happy to take your case if the price is right, that doesn’t mean they think they can win. They should be able to list the options that you have for settling the ticket.
If there are any other conditions that could affect your outcome, be honest with your attorney.
4. They Should Prepare You
Your attorney should be able to prepare you for your ticket hearing. If they suggest things like taking a driving certification or any kind of refresher course, listen to them. A good attorney gives you ideas on how to make sure you look as good as possible when you step into the courtroom.
5. Check Their Price
Of course, you should be able to afford your attorney. Call around to a few different firms and see what they’re offering and compare it to what their expected outcomes are. If you find a lawyer you like but they’re not giving you the price you want, quote a cheaper attorney and see what they can do.
Your Speeding Ticket Attorney Needs To Fit You
You should feel a good rapport with your attorney immediately. If they’re ignoring your calls or hard to reach, you can assume they’ll be as flaky when it comes time to go to court. Make sure you feel listened to.
If you’re ready to find an attorney that fits your style, contact us for suggestions on getting the perfect fit.
5 Reasons You Need a Traffic Violation Lawyer
Every year, about 41 million Americans earn themselves a speeding ticket.
Keep in mind, speeding is not the only traffic violation. If you run a red light, drive without a valid license, hit the road when impaired, drive a vehicle with burned-out headlights or fail to yield, you’ll be guilty of a traffic violation.
While some violations are less serious and fairly straightforward to resolve, others – like DUI and hit and run – are serious and can get you behind bars.
If you’re being charged with a traffic violation, it can be tempting to fight the charge alone. Don’t.
Here is why you should hire a traffic violation lawyer.
1. You Don’t Understand Traffic Law
Sure, traffic laws aren’t the most complicated, but that doesn’t mean just about anyone can understand them.
If you’ve violated a traffic law, now is not the time to start researching the specific law and the potential consequences. You’ll be too distraught to understand anything.
On the other hand, hiring a traffic lawyer gets you a competent professional with an in-depth understanding of federal laws and state and local traffic codes. The lawyer has probably spent several years defending clients in traffic courts, so you’ll feel confident having them on your side.
They will evaluate the case brought against you, identify weakness and aggressively fight the ticket on your behalf.
Can you imagine cross-examining a police officer by yourself in a traffic court? No way! A traffic violation lawyer has the skills to question the officer with the aim of raising reasonable doubt as to your guilt.
2. Dismiss/Lower Ticket Penalties
Did you know Americans pay north of $6 billion worth of speeding tickets annually?
This is a huge amount. It means when you get a traffic ticket, you’ll certainly have to pay a fine.
If you’re a first or second-time offender, it usually seems easier to settle the fine and move on with your life. But here is the thing, some tickets are wrongly issued, and others can quickly add up. A $500 speeding ticket, for instance, can hurt your bank account.
For those reasons, the best thing to do is to hire a traffic violation lawyer. He or she can contest the penalty, or explain your circumstances in a traffic court and get the judge to lower your penalty or even dismiss it entirely.
Obviously, getting a lower fine is good for the wallet, but there is more to it. When a penalty is dismissed, you typically won’t accumulate points on your driving license. The outcome is your DL won’t be suspended.
3. Gathering Evidence Information
You’re very certain you didn’t skip a red light, but here you’re slapped with a red light ticket.
Who is right? Who is wrong? The only way to establish the truth is to contest the ticket.
If your state or local authority has installed traffic cameras along the road you were on, it’s possible to collect the footage or incident reports.
The problem is, as a regular person, you might even not be aware that you can get video footage. And if you are aware, bypassing the typical bureaucracy of public offices can prove challenging.
The best thing you can do in such a situation is to hire a traffic violation lawyers.
These professionals know their way around bureaucratic government offices and can easily gain access to the video footage. Needless to say, if the footage proves you didn’t run a red light, the lawyer will ensure the ticket is dismissed.
You can even instruct the lawyer to sue the traffic officer for writing a false ticket.
4. Get Alternative Discipline
The vast majority of traffic offenders are usually guilty as charged.
Although hiring a lawyer enhances your chances of getting a reduced penalty, this is not always the case. If the prosecutor has substantial evidence against you, there is little a lawyer can do.
However, depending on your record, a competent lawyer can be able to negotiate an alternative discipline.
A common alternative to a fine or suspended license is attending driving or traffic school! Well, going back to school is not an interesting prospect, but would you rather lose your license or pay costly fines?
5. Save Money
One of the primary reasons traffic violators don’t hire lawyers is cost. They often wrongly assume it’s cheaper to settle a fine or serve a probationary period than hire an attorney.
It’s true, routine violations don’t need a lawyer, especially if you’re a first-time offender. But when you’ve committed a serious offense, you shouldn’t fight the charge alone in a bid to save money. You could actually end up spending even more money.
If you lose the case, for instance, the violation will show up on your driving record. The more points you have on your record, the higher the premiums you’ll pay for auto insurance.
A lawyer can ensure the violation isn’t added to your driving record, thereby preventing you from higher insurance premiums.
Beyond saving money, you’ll also save time. For a small fee, a traffic violation lawyer will handle all the paperwork on your behalf, and represent you in a traffic court where necessary.
Hiring a Traffic Violation Lawyer Is the Right Step
As a law-abiding citizen, it’s never your intention to violate a traffic law. However, sometimes circumstances beyond our control lead us into legal trouble.
If you’re facing a traffic ticket or charge, you could be tempted to contest or fight it on your own, but as we’ve demonstrated, it’s not a risk worth taking. Hiring a traffic violation lawyer gives you the best chance of getting the ticket penalty reduced or dismissed.
Don’t waste any more time. Find a lawyer today.
What to Look for in a Great Florida Ticket Lawyer
Nothing puts a pit in your stomach quite like seeing those flashing blue lights in the rear-view.
If you’re pulled over for a traffic infraction, your first instinct might be to just pay the ticket and be done with it. Yet, it’s important to remember that you’re well within your rights to contest it if you believe there’s ground for a dispute.
That’s where a ticket lawyer comes in.
By seeking legal help, you can help create a solid case around your argument and up your chances of reducing or eliminating your ticket altogether.
Today, we’re discussing what to look for in a Florida ticket lawyer so you can make sure you have the right professional on your side.
Ready to learn more? Let’s go!
Ensure a Traffic Specialty
Keep in mind that not everyone certified to practice law is a viable option. You want someone specifically devoted to helping clients fight traffic infractions.
The legal system surrounding this sector is industry-specific, and you’ll need a lawyer who understands the jargon and is familiar with the paperwork.
For instance, work injury lawyers might be able to listen to your case, yet they will be limited in how much assistance they can provide. Find firms whose bread and butter is traffic citations and you’ll be starting off on the right foot.
Look for a Solid Web Presence
These days, any lawyer worth his or her salt will have a dynamic web presence. You don’t necessarily need someone who’s super active on Twitter, but look for firms that boast an informative and user-friendly website.
For instance, a lawyer might have a website broken down into sub-categories of the law, with pages devoted to speeding tickets, careless driving, suspended licenses and more. See more about this layout and use it as a baseline moving forward.
Scroll to the “About Us” section and learn about the lawyers who comprise the firm. How much experience do they have? What about industry certifications?
This data should be easily accessible and highlighted and the same goes for contact information.
Consult Recommendations and Reviews
While you’re online, see if your prospective lawyer has any client feedback available. You might find this information on the firm’s website, social media channels, or business listing.
Another great place to check is an online lawyer directory. You can search this site to narrow your options by location.
You can also post about the firm on your own social media sites and see if anyone you know has experience working with them or can recommend another route. Facebook recommendations make it easy to find a Florida ticket lawyer in your area that comes highly regarded by your circle.
Schedule an In-Person Visit
When you have your list of lawyers narrowed down, schedule an in-person visit to interview the prospects. Not only will this allow you more time to ask questions, but you’ll also be able to get a feel for how you interact with the lawyer.
Are you comfortable sharing the details of your case with him or her? Or, do you feel awkward? If it’s the latter and you have a hard time communicating now, it might be even worse when it’s go-time.
Find someone who puts you at ease and allows you to ask a million questions. Patience and solid listening skills should be near the top of your list of qualifications.
Check Years of Experience
Look for a lawyer who’s experienced in dealing with cases just like yours.
Ask how many traffic tickets the lawyer disputes every year, and his or her overall success rate. Then, check to see how long the lawyer has been devoted to ticket defense.
An experienced one will have already seen everything, and won’t be surprised by what you’re bringing to the table.
Help Finding a Ticket Lawyer
The moments after receiving a traffic ticket are sensitive ones full of emotion. They’re also critical and time-sensitive, and you’ll need to act quickly to get the resolution you deserve, especially if you think the ticket was issued unfairly.
Our online lawyer directory makes it easy for you to find a lawyer in your area.
Contact us for more information and take that first step together.