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Traffic Violations

While it’s better not to receive a ticket in the first place, the question is what to do if you receive one. The police officer usually informs the operator that if you plead guilty and mail a fine, no points will be assessed against your license. While this is true, it’s also misleading. Your motor vehicle history will still reflect the violation. Your motor vehicle history is what insurance companies look at to determine rates. A single moving violation is sometimes enough to send your rates through the roof, especially if a young driver receives the ticket. The breach will be part of your driving history for years to come.

We often advise our clients to plead not guilty when they receive a ticket. This is because, on many occasions, when we represent a client in court on a traffic ticket, we have been able to obtain a successful conclusion which may save the client thousands of dollars in future insurance costs. Even a “minor” motor vehicle violation can cost you thousands of dollars per year in insurance premiums, so in many cases, it is cost-effective to retain an attorney.

It should be noted that many insurance companies may treat minor infractions as significant violations. An example is failure to wear a seat safety belt in the front seat. You can face fines and court costs of up to $200, but it can be a substantial violation because you can sustain more severe injuries by not wearing your seat belt.

We strongly encourage contacting an attorney immediately if/when you receive a ticket. Remember that upon receiving a ticket, you may have only a limited time to decide how you wish to plead guilty or not guilty.