Do I need a lawyer for a traffic violation?

If you’re asking yourself the question “Do I need a lawyer for a traffic violation?”, it’s likely you need an attorney, and you need to retain one as soon as possible. The court systems don’t give lengthy periods of time between when you get a ticket and when the matter has to be responded to or resolved. To this end, you need to retain a lawyer in a timely manner so that they are able to gather all the information that is needed to manage your case before the actual hearing.

Moving or Non-Moving Violations

There are different kinds of traffic violations which impact fines, points, and any other penalties associated with your license. A moving violation is a violation that occurs when you ignore a traffic law or break a law that has to do with how you drive your vehicle. A non-moving violation includes things like a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. The violation may have occurred in a moving car, but it wasn’t a violation concerning your driving decisions. The difference is that a non-moving violation doesn’t usually require a lawyer, but intended to remind you to obey all the laws. For both types of violations, you may need an attorney. Traffic tickets can cost more than money, and may even include a suspended license or points added to your license which can eventually lead to suspension and higher fines.

Avoid Extreme Penalties

One reason it may be a good idea to get a lawyer is you don’t want to have to pay out more than is necessary, now or in the future. You might look at your ticket and think it isn’t a big deal. Then, you go to pay it off and learn that there are other penalties associated with that ticket. These fees and penalties aren’t included in the ticket itself but are fees that you have to pay out on a yearly basis. You might even find that paying off your ticket, which is the same as pleading guilty, leads to suspension of your license. Or, you may not have any extra fees or penalties to pay on this particular ticket, but the very existence of this one means that the next one is going to be more costly, come with more fees, and is going to be more likely to be judged harshly because of your prior tickets.

James Medows Can Help

The bottom line is whether or not you need to get a lawyer to manage your traffic violation depends on your own history, driving habits, and plans for the future. Perhaps when you ask yourself “Do I need a lawyer for a traffic violation?” you might really be asking how much of your freedom you are willing to risk. From finances to driving privileges, you may have more to lose than you realize and a lawyer may be the only person who can help reduce those risks. Contact James Medows online or call or text (917) 856-1247.