If you have received a traffic ticket, you may want to fight the ticket. This helps to keep your insurance rates low, keeps points off your driving record and may prevent you from paying the fine associated with these infractions. However, not every traffic ticket requires the assistance of a lawyer to fight. In some cases, you may wish to fight the ticket yourself. If you are debating between doing it yourself and hiring an attorney, here are a few factors you should consider when deciding.
The Total Cost of the Ticket
Hiring an attorney to represent you for a traffic violation is not cheap. As such, it is not always worth the financial investment to hire an attorney. When deciding whether to hire one for your violation, consider the total cost of the ticket you received versus the estimated cost for an attorney. This includes the cost of the ticket, any fines or classes you may have to pay for, plus the increased cost of insurance. If the price of an attorney is significantly cheaper than the total cost of the ticket may be, it may be wise to invest in an attorney.
If You Are Facing Jail Time
The majority of traffic violations do not carry jail time as a possible sentence. However, if you were charged with driving under the influence or reckless driving, jail time may be a possible consequence. If you are facing any jail time, you may want to think about hiring a traffic defense lawyer to help you avoid having to spend time behind bars.
Whether Your License Could Be Suspended
The last factor you should consider when deciding whether or not you should hire a traffic ticket lawyer for a violation is whether the violation could lead to your license being suspended. Most people depend on being able to drive to get to and from work, pick up their kids or attend dental and medical appointments. If you lose your license, you may be unable to do these things. Your past driving record and the infraction you are charged with both can determine whether your license may be suspended if you are found guilty of the offense you are charged with. If your license could be suspended, and it would negatively impact your life, you may want to think about hiring an attorney to help you.
If this is the first time you have received a traffic ticket and it is for something relatively minor, like running a stop sign or speeding, there may be little benefit to hiring a traffic attorney to fight your ticket. But if you have multiple tickets, are facing heavy fines or could even be looking at jail time, you want to think about hiring a lawyer for your case. Talk with an attorney like Patricia K Wood Atty for more help.
Share7 June 2017
When my husband filed for divorce a few years ago, I knew that I didn't want to endure a legal battle on my own. I interviewed several different attorneys until I found one that I really liked, and then I really gave my case my all. I had long talks with my lawyer about everything from financial problems to the way that we organized our schedule, and she was able to create a rock-solid case from my statements. This website is all about the importance of communicating effectively with your attorney by making the right decisions. Check out these posts about lawyers so that you are better prepared for your next case.