Should You Fight a Speeding Ticket?
If you’ve been issued a speeding ticket and debating whether to hire a lawyer to fight it, the answer is probably “yes”. And, if this is your first speeding ticket, the next one could quickly follow and make a difference on your driving record and to your insurance premiums.
While you may think that hiring a lawyer is expensive, the cost could be far less than if you represent yourself and lose. An experienced traffic ticket lawyer can argue and get you a lower fine or get your case dismissed and the ticket thrown out. All of which will have a positive impact on your insurance premium and eliminate hours in traffic school.
The more serious the traffic violation is, the more beneficial it is to hire an experienced lawyer. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, felony, or DUI – seek legal representation immediately.
Preparing Your Speeding Ticket Argument
Your best chance to win the argument for your speeding ticket will be physical proof you weren’t actually speeding. Write down everything that happened, including the time of day, location, weather conditions, and speed signs. If you had passengers in the car ask them to confirm the speed you were going when you got pulled over by the officer.
Your lawyer will gather additional evidence including dash-cam video, GPS data from a smartphone app, or photographic evidence (obscured speed limit sign ). Depending on the method used to clock your speed, your lawyer will also understand the maintenance plan and instructions for proper use. Your lawyer will leverage this information to question the issuing officer regarding fulfilling the required maintenance and to recount how they used it.
Speeding Tickets: Guilty or Not Guilty Plea
At your court appearance, the judge will ask you to plead “guilty” or “not guilty” to your speeding ticket. No matter how you plan on answering this question, it’s helpful to have a lawyer by your side.
If you plead “guilty” without a lawyer present, you are leaving the outcome of your case to the mercy of the court. Without a lawyer, you do not have the opportunity to negotiate with the prosecutor for a lesser charge. A lawyer can work with a prosecutor in your defense and can do so prior to your case being seen by the judge — well worth the expense of hiring a lawyer.
If you plead “not guilty” you will have your trial on the same day. Your lawyer will know the correct way to question the police officer and conduct the trial. In most cases, the police officer that wrote your speeding ticket is usually the only witness against you. If the officer is not in court (and no one else is appearing), the prosecution has no case. By pleading not guilty, in all probability, the judge will dismiss your case and your speeding ticket.
A lawyer can verify whether the police officer is present. If not present, the lawyer can attempt to get your case called and dismissed. A local lawyer will likely know the judge’s tendencies in these situations and he can advise you either way.
Possible Speeding Ticket Outcomes Issued by a Judge
- Case dismissed.
- Community service in lieu of paying fine.
- Supervision for a set amount of time (if you do not commit a violation during this time, the case is dismissed and you are discharged).
- Secretary of State receives conviction (if you have a single conviction, it isn’t the end of the world but, more than one can eventually lead to your license being suspended).
Over 95% of people who receive a speeding ticket do not contest and pay the fine. The 5% who fight their ticket usually have their case dismissed or receive reduced charges.
Contact Attorney Peter Wachowski and make the effort to fight your speeding ticket and protect your driving record. To get started with a confidential case assessment, call 866-699-3339 or complete the case request form.