Brooklyn Traffic Ticket Lawyer
It may not seem like it, but when you get a traffic ticket, you have options other than simply paying the fine and taking the points on your license. For help fighting your ticket, enlist the services of a Brooklyn traffic ticket attorney.
As a Brooklyn driver, you know how frustrating it can be to get pulled over in Brooklyn. When these types of encounters lead to traffic tickets, it’s normal to feel like you have no choice but to pay the fine.
The truth, however, is that you have the right to take the traffic charge to court to dispute it. But doing this can be difficult on your own.
That’s what our team at the Law Office of James Medows is here for—to help people like you. Working with a Brooklyn traffic ticket lawyer from our firm can help you avoid the penalties and fines associated with your moving violation.
Examples of Traffic Tickets in Brooklyn
As a responsible driver, you probably do everything you can to avoid trouble, follow the rules of the road, and maintain safety while you’re behind the wheel. All drivers have a “duty of care” to other drivers and pedestrians, and making sure you follow the law protects you from negligence claims and tickets.
Even with all those precautions, though, it’s still incredibly easy to find yourself in trouble with the law and receive a traffic ticket. There are so many laws and regulations you have to adhere to; sometimes, you can find yourself with a ticket without even realizing you did something wrong.
Seemingly small mistakes, unfortunately, can have big consequences, and you could end up with a ticket even though you do your best to avoid driving recklessly. Some examples of Brooklyn traffic violations that may lead to a ticket include the following:
- Blocking or holding up traffic
- Disobeying traffic lights or signals, such as turning on red when you’re not supposed to or running a red light
- Driving with an expired license
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating another vehicle on the road
- Failing to obey a stop sign
- Driving above the speed limit
- Driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street
- Texting and driving
- Improperly changing lanes or failing to use your turn signal
Penalties for Brooklyn Traffic Tickets
Every traffic violation is associated with a fine. Traffic violations can range widely in how much they cost, based on a few factors.
For starters, the type of violation committed affects how much the resulting ticket will cost you. Additionally, fines vary based on the area in which they were issued. They can range anywhere from as low as $45 to as high as hundreds of dollars.
Unfortunately, these costs won’t just affect your driving record and your bank account. They can put indirect stress on other parts of your life as you manage the effects of a ticket. High expenses and driving school make it harder to pay your rent, afford food, and maintain your car. New York requires insurance, after all, to keep your license.
The stress of paying for a ticket, then, can leave its mark on your mind, hurting your financial situation. Not paying these fines, however, only makes things worse. If you’re charged with avoiding fines, you could end up with a misdemeanor, jail time, and a license suspension.
License Suspensions in Brooklyn
Getting your drivers license suspended only adds to the stress and expenses that pile up after a traffic ticket in Brooklyn. While you once had the freedom to go where you needed without help, you may now have to rely on public transportation or friends and family to get to and from the places you need to be, such as school or work.
If you lost your license and were caught driving without it, you could end up in more trouble. Brooklyn traffic officers take driving without a license or failing to pay a ticket seriously. You could be arrested.
When you’re given a ticket, it can turn into something far more difficult and frustrating to deal with if you ignore it, and you could end up sinking into a much deeper hole because of it. Dealing with it now is likely your best option. For help dealing with your traffic ticket, reach out to a lawyer.
Why You Need to Fight Your Traffic Ticket
As you can see, there are many opportunities to accidentally break the law while you’re behind the wheel in Brooklyn. And after your ticket, you may not be sure of how to fight it. However, doing so is crucial for a number of reasons.
For starters, there’s the obvious downfall of the immediate financial repercussions that are associated with the fines of a traffic ticket. For some people, this unexpected financial setback could have serious repercussions on their financial stability.
Beyond that, though, there is also the potential for financial fallout in the future. That’s because every traffic violation carries a number of points on your license. While a few points here and there may not seem like a big deal, this could quickly turn into a much more serious situation than a small traffic violation.
That’s because insurance companies take your driving record into account when calculating your monthly premium costs. The more points or tickets you have on your record, the higher your premiums will be.
Finally, there’s also the potential for losing your license. After you’ve accumulated eleven points or more on your driving record, your license could be suspended. This could affect many areas of your life.
Representing Yourself in Traffic Court Is Risky
When you decide to fight your traffic ticket, you’ll have a few options presented to you when preparing your case, but not all of them will be right for your situation.
Many people choose to represent themselves to save on legal fees. While this may seem like a good idea at the beginning, it can lead to more fees and more trouble if your defense falls through. Unfortunately, those without legal training are unlikely to know how to build a strong defense against a traffic ticket.
When you’re trying to fight a ticket, you will likely need solid representation possible to get through it; an attorney may be the best choice for you. While other forms of representation may seem easier or more cost-effective, making sure your ticket is dismissed comes first.
Many defense strategies found online may be misleading, require experts and resources, or simply ineffective. Many people who try to represent themselves lose their cases because of this. Without the tools and resources an attorney can offer, getting your ticket dismissed can be difficult or impossible. Legal insight will make a difference, even if your case seems simple on the surface.
For instance, fighting a police officer’s word in court is never easy, as that officer is likely there regularly and has authority there. Without an authoritative voice in the courtroom and evidence to back it up, you may end up stuck with the ticket—and all the repercussions that come with it.
How a Brooklyn Traffic Attorney Can Help
After considering all the possible repercussions of being given a traffic ticket, you’re probably eager to fight it. However, to be successful in doing so, you’ll likely need a Brooklyn traffic violation lawyer to represent you.
It can be easy to accidentally make yourself liable in your statement in traffic court. But enlisting the services of a qualified and experienced traffic attorney will help ensure this doesn’t happen. We will handle all communications on your behalf so you stand a strong chance of having the ticket thrown out.
Defenses a Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Brooklyn May Use
Another reason to enlist the services of a Brooklyn traffic violation attorney is because we will know exactly how to defend you. There are several tried-and-true strategies attorneys use to prove the innocence of their clients, and your lawyer may rely on these methods to help you get your ticket thrown out.
Some common defense strategies your traffic violation lawyer in Brooklyn may use to fight your ticket include the following:
- Disputing the personal opinion of the officer who issued the ticket, which is a defense often used when you were given a ticket for supposedly making unsafe turns or lane changes
- Relying on a “mistake of fact” statute, which might be used if you were given a ticket for veering into another lane when the lines on the road were so worn away that you couldn’t follow them
- Contesting the presentation of evidence from the officer, which can be done using contradictory evidence like eyewitness statements or photos and video footage from nearby traffic cameras
- Proving that your actions on the road were a necessity to maintain your safety, such as saying you were speeding because it was a medical emergency and you needed to get to the hospital or that you changed lanes illegally to avoid a driver you believed to be intoxicated
- Proving that your illegal actions were necessary to prevent harm to others, such as swerving suddenly and without warning to avoid hitting a pedestrian or another car
Brooklyn Traffic Ticket FAQ
When you’re considering whether you should fight a traffic ticket in Brooklyn, you’re probably going to have a lot of questions. Getting the answers to all your questions is yet another benefit of teaming up with an experienced lawyer.
Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about Brooklyn traffic tickets. If you have additional questions, you can get all the answers you need and more by simply calling our office.
How are points on my license calculated in Brooklyn?
Each violation carries a predetermined number of points. If you plead guilty to or are found guilty of the violation, that many points will go on your driving record. If you accumulate eleven points within an eighteen-month period, your license may be suspended.
Is it necessary to go to traffic court for a ticket?
In many situations, you can plead guilty and avoid going to court, although that doesn’t cover all types of tickets you might receive in Brooklyn. However, if you want to fight your ticket, you will more than likely need to go to court to make your case. That’s a moment when it can be especially comforting to have an experienced attorney by your side.
How can I reduce the number of points on my drivers license in Brooklyn?
Some New York drivers are eligible for point-reduction programs, which usually take the form of courses on basic traffic rules or defensive driving. While these courses can be helpful, it’s often best to avoid getting the points on your license in the first place. We can help with that.
Is jail time really a possible punishment for a traffic ticket in Brooklyn?
It’s rare, but it happens. For most traffic tickets, jail time is not a real possibility. But it is for those that involve extenuating factors. For example, a judge can sentence you to thirty days in jail for extreme speeding. Driving under the influence is another traffic infraction that can lead to jail time.
Contact a Brooklyn Traffic Ticket Attorney
If you were recently issued a traffic ticket and are interested in getting the charges thrown out, our team at the Law Office of James Medows is here to help. We encourage you to team up with one of our attorneys to take your case to court and secure your financial wellbeing and personal freedom.
Now is the time to reach out to a Brooklyn traffic ticket lawyer. To schedule an initial consultation, give our office a call today at 917-856-1247. For more information on our services, fill out the online contact form at the bottom of the page.
Description: Well I have never had the opportunity to get a speeding ticket in NYC. And found out things are done differently there compared to Northern NY. So I found this Attorney James Medows. I figured I would give his office a try. They did a great job and my ticket was dismissed. Thanks for all the dedication and hard work. I highly recommend this Law Firm !!