tips when hiring a traffice ticket attorney

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.
• 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. ...

Full Answer

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 it mean to reduce a ticket?

Generally, reducing ticket penalties means getting the judge to reduce or dismiss your fines and/or driver's license points .

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 ).

What is a public defender?

Public defenders, or court-appointed attorneys, are lawyers who help people who can't afford private legal defense.

Can a traffic ticket lawyer help with a speeding ticket?

From a speeding violation to forgetting to use your turn signal, even the most routine traffic stop can add up quickly; thus, sometimes, hiring a traffic ticket lawyer can make a difference—especially regarding reduced fines, keeping points off your driver's license, and avoiding increased insurance rates .

Does traffic school help with a ticket?

Not only can traffic school help you get a ticket dismissed, but it can also remove driver's license points (or prevent points from accumulating, depending on your state's laws) and even lower your car insurance rates .

What to consider before hiring a traffic ticket lawyer?

1. Before Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer: Consider the Cost of the Ticket. Depending on how serious your offense is, the cost of the ticket might be less than you would pay a lawyer to fight it in court. For some people, that’s enough to motivate them to decide to pay the ticket instead of fighting it in court.

How long does a ticket stay on your record?

However, the offense will stay on your record for up to seven years, depending on where you live and the severity of the offense.

Is it better to hire a lawyer or not?

As such, if it is worth it to you, it may be a better option to hire a lawyer, even if it is more expensive. This may especially be the case if you have several offenses on your record, and another one will lead to further consequences such as loss or suspension of your license. 2.

Can a lawyer go to court without you?

Another thing to consider is whether you’d like the lawyer to go to court without you. Often, you won’t have to attend a hearing, and a lawyer will negotiate with the judge without your presence. You can, however, choose to be there if you wish.

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.

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.

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.

Is it good to hire an attorney?

If you look below the surface, hiring an attorney has a number of benefits that, in many cases, can more than justify the expense. Also, some people have legal plans through their employers or union memberships that pay all or a portion of legal fees. If you can get an attorney you're happy with this way, it can be a good option.

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.

Do traffic lawyers win at trial?

Traffic lawyers with lots of trial experience are far more likely to win at trial than the average Joe or Jane. Simply put, attorneys who have spent countless hours in a courtroom and have knowledge of the law know what to focus on at trial. For non-lawyers, it's easy to get off track.