The Role of Traffic Lawyers in Ticket Disputes
Is a traffic ticket collecting dust on your dashboard right now?
Look in the rearview mirror. We’re in the same boat.
Millions of drivers get tickets each year. In the United States, the number clocks in at 41 million drivers who get hit with a speeding ticket annually. Yes, that’s per year.
Here’s the reality…
A lot of people pay the ticket and forget about it.
Should they?
Do you think so?
Let’s look at the other side.
Table of Contents
- Why Fighting a Traffic Ticket Is Worth It
- What a Traffic Lawyer Does
- Traffic Lawyers Give You a Better Chance of Winning
- Benefits of Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
- Steps Taken by a Traffic Lawyer
- Defense Strategies Traffic Lawyers Use
- The Hidden Costs of Paying a Traffic Ticket
Why Fighting a Traffic Ticket Is Worth It
First things first…
A traffic ticket isn’t a minor bump in the road. There are long-term consequences to a traffic citation. Consequences that cost you thousands of dollars over time.
When you pay the ticket, you are guilty as charged.
By pleading guilty, you:
- Get points on your license
- Increase insurance rates
- Create a violation history
Insurance companies jack rates by 25% on average after a single speeding ticket. That’s hundreds of dollars in extra cost per year. For years.
Yikes.
Here’s a fun fact:
Only about 5% of drivers actually contest their traffic tickets in court. Every other driver pays the fine. Hands up if you know a traffic lawyer? Probably not. Traffic tickets have the most direst consequences.
Working with a traffic ticket lawyer miami or anywhere else can change that outcome dramatically when dealing with these legal issues.
Mind-blowing, isn’t it?
What a Traffic Lawyer Does
Traffic attorneys focus on one thing and one thing only.
Fighting traffic tickets.
They know the system. They know the courts. And they know the players. Their inside knowledge of local practices gives them the edge over those who decide to go it alone.
Traffic attorneys bring something to the table.
- In-depth knowledge of traffic laws
- Specific knowledge of local court procedures
- The ability to spot technical flaws on the citation
- Negotiation skills with the prosecutor
- Previous experience dealing with radar and speed detection devices
The benefit goes much deeper, though…
Traffic lawyers are trained to sniff out the weakest points in the prosecution’s case. They can find anything from bad calibration of the officer’s radar gun to clerical errors in the citation itself. Your attorney knows how to dig into the details and use anything against the issuing officer.
Regular drivers would miss this.
Traffic Lawyers Give You a Better Chance of Winning
Want the best part of it all?
Numbers don’t lie. Getting a traffic attorney to fight a ticket leads to much better results than self-representation.
Here’s a look at how the system works…
If you go it alone, the legal system has a distinct advantage. The reason is simple. The process was written by lawyers. They know what they are doing. They know all the rules, procedures, and tricks to getting a ticket dismissed or reduced.
A traffic attorney levels the playing field.
Legal representation can typically negotiate directly with the prosecutor before your case even goes to court. In most cases, the citation will be reduced to a non-moving violation. No points on your license and no hike in insurance.
In some cases, the attorney will manage your case without you even having to show. You just pay up and get the results.
Benefits of Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Does every traffic ticket need a lawyer? No. Does a lawyer help in certain cases? Absolutely.
You want to seriously consider hiring a traffic ticket lawyer in the following cases:
- When you have multiple violations.
- When you are facing high fines or lots of points.
- When your license may be suspended.
- If you’re a commercial driver.
- When the ticket may impact your job.
Commercial drivers need the best defense possible. A traffic violation can end a career in the proverbial blink of an eye.
Jobs that require regular driving are also a good reason to have a lawyer in your corner. Delivery drivers, sales reps, couriers – they all need a squeaky-clean driving record.
Even with lesser violations, the numbers show that legal representation often makes financial sense. Insurance hikes over time typically far exceed a lawyer’s fees.
Steps Taken by a Traffic Lawyer
When a traffic attorney takes on your case, a few steps take place.
Review
The first step is a review. The attorney will go over the citation and all the surrounding facts. They’ll comb through the information and find an angle.
Then comes the strategy session.
Traffic attorneys have many routes they can take to fighting your ticket. A good attorney will use a variety of methods when reviewing your defense.
They’ll weigh their options carefully, asking themselves whether to:
- Push to have the ticket dismissed outright.
- Negotiate with the prosecutor.
- Aim to reduce the ticket to a non-moving violation.
- Recommend a driver improvement course instead of points.
- Aim for dismissal because of technical issues.
The goal of all of this?
To give you the best chance possible with as little hassle as possible.
Defense Strategies Traffic Lawyers Use
How do traffic lawyers actually win? Lawyers have some tricks up their sleeves.
They are legal loopholes that the average driver would never know about or would not be able to take advantage of.
Let’s look at a few common defense tactics.
Calibration Issues
Speed detection equipment must be properly calibrated and maintained. If the device used to measure your speed wasn’t correctly calibrated, it may provide an inaccurate reading. A good attorney knows how to request records to support calibration and fight improper evidence.
Procedural Errors
Police officers must follow a specific set of procedures and rules. If the officer who issued your ticket deviated from the standard protocol, it can become a strong defense. A traffic attorney will review the steps taken by the officer and find points to build their defense around.
Improper Signage
Speed limit signs must be in the correct place and properly displayed. An obscured or improperly placed sign may provide a good defense.
Officer Unavailability
If the officer doesn’t appear in court on the scheduled date, the case will often get dismissed. Attorneys know the calendar and can use this type of trick to your advantage.
Traffic Ticket Attorney’s Fees
Traffic ticket lawyers charge fees for their services.
The typical range is from $150 to $500. The cost varies depending on location and services.
The process also differs with various attorneys. Some require the defendant to be in attendance for the court hearing. Other firms will handle it without your presence.
All the details are on the website. A brief email or call to the firm will get you on the road to understanding.
The Hidden Costs of Paying a Traffic Ticket
Traffic tickets are a small cost to pay, right?
Think $100 to $200, maybe.
What’s the big deal?
Here’s what the research shows.
The average cost of a traffic ticket is $150.
Insurance rates are another matter.
With an increase of 25%, drivers pay an average of a few hundred dollars in additional costs per year for several years after a speeding ticket. Just one single ticket can cost a driver over a thousand dollars in increased insurance rates over the long term.
Points on your license rack up, too. Accrue too many, and you lose your license. That means no more driving. No commute. No job.
Doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
Wrapping Up
Traffic tickets are never a good thing. A single infraction has severe financial and legal implications for years.
The smart money goes on defense.
If you are facing a traffic ticket, your best chance at minimizing the effect is to fight the charge. You will have to pay for an attorney. However, legal fees pale in comparison to the insurance hikes that result from a conviction.
Here’s a summary of what we covered:
- Traffic tickets have consequences that follow you for years.
- Having a traffic attorney significantly improves the chances of winning your case.
- The cost of hiring an attorney often offsets itself in reduced fines and insurance rates.
Traffic tickets are serious business. Do not become one of the millions who pay the fine and move on. There are options. Fight back. Your driving record will thank you.
