How a Traffic Ticket Attorney Can Help

If you have a driving citation that you think is unwarranted, unfair, or overly steep, a traffic ticket attorney may be able to help. Many people fail to get legal help because they think there is little point in fighting the system, but with the right lawyer on your side, you could get those charges dropped, especially if they are not warranted.

The first step is determining whether the citation is worth fighting. If you deserve it, then there is little point in fighting it. To begin, read the law the officer states you have violated. This will help you see whether or not you are actually in violation of the law. You may be surprised, for instance, to learn that a roll through at a stop sign in your state is not illegal, even though you hold a citation for “failing to come to a complete stop.” Reading the law will help you decide whether or not you could benefit from pursuing legal action and getting the charge dropped.

If you have read the law and feel you did not violate it, it is time to shop for a traffic ticket attorney. A lawyer will know how to present your case in court so that you stand a better chance of the judge agreeing to drop your charges. If you are unsure, a lawyer can help you take the law apart and determine if you have a leg to stand on in court.

Whatever you do, do not pay the fine. Paying the fine is the same as admitting guilt in the eyes of most courts. You have a constitutional right to go to court and question your accuser, so do this. Choose a court date other than the one written on your slip, and you will increase the likelihood that the officer will not show up. If the officer does not come to your court appearance, you will have won the case.

One thing that a traffic ticket attorney may tell you is that you are not proven guilty by cameras. Most courts believe that a person has to be the one to see you perform the violation. Some will allow video to stand as evidence, but few will take the time to request the video and bring it to court. If you say “I didn’t do it,” and the officer says you did, but there is no proof and the officer did not witness you doing it, the courts will usually side with you because you are “innocent until proven guilty” in this country.

If you do decide to fight your citation, your traffic ticket attorney will help you avoid common mistakes. For instance, claiming that you didn’t know the law is never a valid excuse in the courts. When you decide to drive, you take on the responsibility to know the laws. Also, do not give the judge a sad story about your financial situation, your grandmother in the hospital, or some other personal issue that makes it impossible for you to pay or justifies your reason for violating the law. The judge is unlikely to believe your story if you try this route. Stick to the facts, and use legal counsel to help you effectively fight your citation.