A traffic offense lawyer is more important than you might think. For example, you may think that for minor infractions, you do not need an attorney to represent you. However, the penalties can be steep for a guilty verdict. An attorney can help you avoid fines and jail time by petitioning for a judge to drop the charges or reduce the sentence. If you have a traffic ticket, it makes sense to consult an attorney and have one as your legal advocate.
Traffic violations are among the least serious infractions a person can commit. But this does not mean the consequences are a mere slap on the wrist. In some situations, the individual may face steep penalties. The extent of these will depend on various factors, including whether there have been previous violations or whether the person’s actions affected others.
In Missouri, the lowest penalty for a traffic ticket is a $50.50 fine for failing to register a vehicle or for exceeding the speed limit of up to 5 miles per hour. The speeding fines increase by $10 for going 6–10 miles per hour and 11–15 miles per hour over the limit. The fines increase for more for excessive speeding. Multiple traffic tickets and those combined with DUIs can result in driver’s license suspensions.
People who wish to contest a traffic ticket may do so by attending a hearing. However, many individuals fail to do so because it seems inconvenient. An attorney can attend a hearing on the person’s behalf. Not only does this allow a legal representative to be present, but it saves the client time. The Missouri attorney can then relay to the client what happened and what options are available.
A traffic offense lawyer has the knowledge and training to fight the charges for the client. In doing so, the attorney’s first defense may be to ask the judge to reduce the charges. The lawyer may be able to demonstrate that because the client has no prior offense, the charges should be lower. Or, the lawyer may argue that the client’s actions were due to other factors, such as weather or poor road conditions. By doing this, the attorney may be able to spare the client from having to pay a fine or lose their license.
Losing a driver’s license can be a harsh penalty. For many clients, this is more detrimental than having to pay a fine. It is much more effective to try to get a license back when an attorney is representing the individual. A traffic offense lawyer can petition the court to restore the license sooner. A lawyer can also guide the client through the process of formally petitioning the court to restore driving privileges.
Do not think that just because traffic offenses are relatively minor that you should not get legal help. A traffic offense lawyer will aggressively fight for you to avoid the penalties that come with traffic tickets. If you have a traffic ticket, take action. Call an attorney today.
Call us at (417) 865-2181 for more information from Dean Price Law or to schedule a consultation in our office in Springfield. NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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