4 Things to Know Before Fighting a Ticket
Speeding Tickets
If you have received a speeding ticket and plan to fight it, that’s great for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you’re not sure where to start. The good news is you can contact a traffic ticket lawyer for assistance in getting through the process. To start, there are some things you should understand.
- The Cost of Fighting a Ticket
Fighting a speeding ticket isn’t free. In some cases, it’ll cost you more than the ticket itself. While this may seem counterproductive, it can protect your driving record and insurance rates, so it’s often beneficial still. Each law firm charges a different fee and you should understand what that is before you hire a lawyer to fight your ticket.
For example, some speeding ticket defense cases begin at $150. Depending on the specifics of your case, you could pay more than that.
- Losing Your Driving Privileges
If you choose to pay your ticket, you’ll be pleading guilty to the charges and might be in danger of losing your driving privileges. If you fight the ticket, there’s a chance you could avoid losing those privileges, though if you lose the case, you might still lose your license. Other penalties include jail time, fines, probation, community service and other similar consequences.
- Asking for a Prayer for Judgment Continued
When you go before a judge or are negotiating with the district attorney, you could ask for a Prayer for Judgment Continued. This is basically asking to have no penalty or sentence after the court finds you guilty. Aside from not having to deal with a penalty, another benefit of being awarded a Prayer for Judgment Continued is keeping your auto insurance premium unaffected.
- The Officers Who Issued the Ticket
If there were two officers present at the time you received a ticket, there’s a chance both will have to show up in court. If one officer was holding the radar gun, he or she will need to testify that your car was being read when the speed limit was broken. If another officer issued the actual ticket, he or she will need to testify you were the driver.
If one of the officers does not appear in court, your case could get dismissed.
Contacting a Lawyer to Assist in Your Fight
When you’re faced with a speeding ticket, you’ll want a lawyer to assist with your fight against the court. Contact a traffic lawyer from a firm like May Law, LLP today to get started.