Car Accident Lawyer

The dread in your stomach when you hear the sirens behind you on the road is nothing compared to the feeling when you realize how much your traffic ticket costs.  It’s not only the court costs and fees, but the hit to your insurance rates. Wondering whether you should fight your traffic ticket or not? Don’t know where to start? Here are some tips. 

When You Get Pulled Over

If you are pulled over by law enforcement, remain calm and cooperative. When you act like a wildcat, you make the person remember you. Accept the ticket. Make sure the officer’s name and badge number is legible. Before getting back out on the road, take a few minutes to compose yourself if you need to. When you get to your destination, make some notes about the traffic and weather conditions. Go back later and take pictures of the road signs, especially if anything is obscured. Write down anything the officer said to you to be able to remember it later. Make notes about the dates on the ticket. You do not want to miss an important deadline when dealing with your traffic ticket.

How to Deal With Your Ticket

Whatever you do, do not ignore the ticket. You can decide to pay it before the court date. Plead nolo contendere, which means that you do not contest the ticket. It’s almost like admitting your guilt. For a traffic ticket that carries a low fee and won’t add too many points to your driving record, you may decide this is the best option. If you already have points on your record, you may want to look at other options.

In some states, you can take a driving class to mitigate the ticket. By taking a defensive driving class, the ticket doesn’t go on your record. You may also be able to ask the court or district attorney if you can plead to a lesser charge to reduce the fees. There’s no guarantee, but it can be worth your time.

You may also get a traffic ticket attorney to help you find other options. If legal procedures weren’t followed, it could void your ticket. Finding those technicalities depends on many elements. If you aren’t familiar with traffic law in your area, it might be difficult to know where to start. If your ticket is very expensive or will add many points to your record, it is worth exploring your options with a lawyer.

Contact a traffic lawyer in Hillsville, VA to find solutions for your ticket.

Thanks to The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt for their insight into traffic ticket law and what to do when you get a ticket.