Is It A Good Idea To Fight Your Traffic Ticket?

There is possibly nothing worse than driving along and seeing the flashing red lights of a police car behind you, except for the possibility of being innocent and not being able to prove it. When you are pulled over for a traffic ticket, you might feel at the mercy of law enforcement even if you believe that you weren’t breaking the law or that the ticket has no merit.

When you are issued a traffic ticket, you have the option to either just admit fault and pay it, go to court and hope to get a reduced sentence, or fight the ticket altogether with a traffic ticket appeal attorney. There are times when fighting a traffic ticket might make things better, and others when it could just make the situation worse. Knowing the difference between the two can save you a lot of time, hassle, and headache.

When is it worth it to fight a ticket and when isn’t it?

The court system is a quick-in-and-out one. There aren’t many times when people walk out feeling that they had the time necessary to defend themselves. It’s a hurried system where people are shuffled in and then shuffled out, rarely feeling as if their concerns were heard or addressed. So if you are considering fighting a ticket, be prepared to feel as if you are fighting against the tide.

Know what you are being accused of

The most important part of fighting a ticket is to know what you are fighting against. When the police officer gives you the ticket, it is important to get clarification what it is for. If you don’t completely understand the charges against you, then it is not only okay but imperative that you contact the court to make sure you understand what it is that you are being accused of. There are different codes, ordinances, and statutes for every locale, so don’t just assume you know exactly what traffic violation you have made.

If you are charged with a civil infraction, the offense is typically punishable  only by fine, and it may result in “points” being added to your driving history or record. It may or may not also levy other sanctions on your driver’s license. A traffic misdemeanor, however, is a more serious charge and a criminal offense. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, then you might want to consult a lawyer before you decide what the best course of your defense should be. If you are convicted, it might lead to having a criminal record.

If you are charged with a misdemeanor, it might be possible to enter a plea bargain to reduce the charges to a civil infraction. That can help you to avoid a criminal record, but you would be best off letting a lawyer handle a misdemeanor charge for you. There are times when the officer writing the ticket might not be capable of supporting the charges against you, which could lead to the ticket being dismissed. But those times are few and far between, and they typically involve hiring an attorney to help you fight the ticket.

Should you hire a lawyer?

Even if you decide not to hire an attorney, it is a good idea to at least consult one to make sure that fighting your ticket is a good idea that won’t end up costing you more time and money than it is worth. Depending on the charge, there are times when hiring a lawyer will be imperative. If you are issued a traffic ticket for something like a suspended license, reckless driving, or drinking and driving, it is a good idea to have someone who understands the court process to help you navigate the charges to ensure that you are are protecting yourself.

For a civil infraction ticket, you can hire an attorney to represent you and you don’t have to attend the court proceedings. When receiving a ticket from out of town, that is a very helpful thing.

If you are issued a minor ticket, hiring a lawyer is probably not necessary and might cost you more than if you just pay the ticket. If the ticket will end up on your driver’s record or you have a serious offense, then having someone to defend you will end up paying off. Either way, consulting an attorney is always an excellent idea to make sure you know when to fight and when to fold and just pay the ticket.