While a traffic ticket might seem like little more than a nuisance, the reality is that you need to treat it as a serious matter that can have a major impact on your life. In addition to the fines you might need to pay, a ticket can also cost you a substantial increase in your insurance premiums. More dangerous violations could come with jailtime.
You have the right to fight a traffic ticket just like you do any criminal charge and can hire a skilled defense attorney to stand by your side. Let a Lake County traffic lawyer help you get the best possible outcome from your case.
There are numerous types of traffic violations that exist under state law. Many of these are treated as infractions, meaning that they do not carry the potential for jail time. However, there are certain traffic charges that are considered misdemeanors and some that are criminal offenses that come with jail time in the event of a conviction. Some of the most common examples of traffic violations include:
The guidance of a Lake County traffic attorney could be useful no matter the offense. While legal counsel is crucial in traffic cases that carry jail time, it is also important to rely on an attorney to fight back against lesser offenses like speeding, which could put points on a person’s license.
Many people choose to simply pay the fine and accept the consequences following a traffic ticket. Others act as their own attorney, hoping that they can secure a favorable outcome without dealing with the cost of legal counsel. While these options are available, they do not always end up with a favorable outcome. It is helpful to look at the cost of legal counsel as an investment, as they can benefit your case in many ways.
Hiring an experienced Lake County traffic attorney is useful, as they can rely on their experience and skill when dealing with prosecuting attorneys. If the case must go to trial, this experience can also provide insight into which outcome is most likely.
Most traffic cases are ultimately resolved through negotiations, with an attorney working with the prosecutor to have the charges dropped entirely. Alternatively, these negotiations could lead to a reasonable plea bargain that keeps a conviction off the driver’s record.
There are many potential defenses in traffic cases but they are determined by the specific charge. For example, the defenses for a speeding ticket will not always be a viable strategy in a DWI case.
While the police usually issue traffic tickets for violations they personally witness, this can occur at times when traffic congestion is heavy or during bad weather. This can lead to police losing track of speeding vehicles and pulling over the wrong driver.
The police do not have free reign to pull over drivers as they see fit. If they pull over a motorist without cause, any evidence they collect during the stop could be excluded. This could be enough to have the case thrown out.
The prosecutors have to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, even for traffic violations. Often, there is not enough evidence to prove a traffic violation occurred and a defense attorney can exploit that.
It is not in your best interest to simply dismiss your traffic violation as not important enough. Depending on what the charge is, you could be hit with significant penalties. You could avoid the financial hardship that comes with a traffic violation with the right legal counsel by your side. Reach out to a Lake County traffic lawyer right away to learn more.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
