Harlem Traffic Ticket Lawyer

No matter how minor you might think your traffic violation is, it can have dramatic unforeseen consequences for both your finances and your future. Find out how to beat your ticket by working with a Harlem traffic ticket lawyer.

The penalties caused by traffic tickets can add up fast, and if you are caught by surprise, you could even lose your drivers license. The fines are substantial, and the insurance rate hikes can be even worse, so fighting every ticket is important.

If you have been charged with a moving violation, you should discuss your case with a Harlem traffic ticket lawyer from the Law Office of James Medows.

The Driving Points System in New York

New York, like most other states, uses a point-schedule system that is monitored and enforced by the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB). The more serious the infraction, the higher the fine and number of points charged.

If you reach six points or more within an eighteen-month period, you will have to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $100 for three years. If, within those eighteen months, you accrue eleven points, your license will be suspended. A suspended license can be a much heavier burden than the fees and fines. Your ability to get to work, get your kids to school, and run daily errands will be greatly reduced.

Below are a few common driving infractions in Harlem and the points that could be added to your New York driving record if you are convicted:

Your Auto Insurance Rates Are at Risk

Points are also used by insurers in determining how likely you are to get into a crash and cause them to have to pay out on a claim. They have their own point schedule, and with nearly every point, your rates will rise until you are such a high-risk driver that they do not renew your policy. At that point, you would have to seek out insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers. Their premiums make driving a car a very expensive practice.

Common Harlem Traffic Violations

Some of the more common traffic violations include fines, which will increase with the number of violations you have received in your current eighteen-month window. Most citations will include court costs, such as the $93 surcharge that will be added to each case.

• Speeding tickets vary in severity according to whether you were going ten to forty or more mph over the speed limit. They can result in fines between $130 and $1,060, and your license will be assessed between three and eleven points.
• Using your cell phone while driving costs between $50 and $450 in fines and gets you five points.
• Following too closely (tailgating) can net you between $85 and $535 in fines and four points.
• Failing to obey a traffic signal or a traffic sign carries a fine of between $100 and $1,000 and three points.
• Reckless driving is sometimes a catchall charge for officers, but it is different because it is a misdemeanor with much harsher penalties. You’ll receive a fine of between $185 and $1,210, thirty to 180 days in jail, and five points.

Traffic violations of any sort are always serious charges with hefty penalties. This is especially true of reckless driving because these offenses will stick with you for the rest of your life.

We will work hard to get the charges dismissed or reduced, and the faster we get involved, the better your chances for a successful outcome. Your Harlem traffic ticket lawyer will need to be quick to gather fresh, untainted evidence and all potential witness testimony.

How to Fight Your Harlem Traffic Ticket

Now you understand some of the penalties associated with Harlem traffic convictions: points, fines, and insurance rate hikes. But did you know there are other effects?

The fines could create financial problems that place strain on the rest of your life. Your lost license could impact your job prospects, and in some instances, you could even lose your job. In addition, your family life could go up in smoke, and you could even go to jail. Yes, it’s true. Jail is an option for some traffic violations.

Why risk all these negative consequences when you could avoid them entirely? By fighting your ticket, you could make your future brighter. You can fight your ticket by hiring a Harlem traffic offense lawyer. Your attorney will help you put together a defense based on all the available evidence, and we can argue your case in court.

Some of the strategies we could utilize to get your ticket dismissed include the following:

• Challenging the evidence directly, such as demonstrating that a radar gun wasn’t calibrated
• Challenging the officer’s version of events
• Proving that the ticket was invalid due to errors
• Using evidence to prove that you weren’t driving or that you weren’t violating the law
• Using witnesses to counter the charges
• Showing that your actions were reasonable for the driving conditions at the time
• Proving that there was an emergency situation that caused your illegal driving behaviors

Preparing for Traffic Court in Harlem

When you decide to fight your ticket, you should be prepared to attend court. When you have an attorney by your side, the whole court process will be a lot less intimidating. We will walk you through every step. Here are a few of the ways you can prepare in order to make things go a lot more smoothly for you:

• Understand Your Ticket – Understanding the traffic infraction, as well as the law that relates to it, will help you understand your chances for a dismissal. You shouldn’t plead guilty to a charge that you aren’t guilty of without discussing your case with an attorney first.
• Gather Evidence – Try to collect any and all evidence you can, such as photos of the scene where the infraction occurred, witness statements, proof that you weren’t driving at the time, and anything else that will help your case.
• Hire a Harlem Traffic Violation Attorney – You can fight a traffic ticket on your own, but your chances aren’t great without an attorney. Lawyers from our firm handle these cases every day, so we can likely get you a better outcome than you can get yourself.

Contact a Harlem Traffic Violation Lawyer

If you are facing the daunting prospect of fighting a traffic violation, you should make sure to consult with a Harlem traffic ticket lawyer from the Law Office of James Medows before proceeding. Our firm might be able to keep your charges and points from becoming a part of your driving history. Call us at 917-856-1247 or fill out the form below for a free, confidential consultation.