If you’ve ever received a traffic ticket in Birmingham Michigan or elsewhere, then you already know how expensive they can be. Not only are there fines associated with traffic tickets things like speeding or disobeying a traffic signal like a stop sign or a red light at an intersection, you will also receive points causing your insurance rates to skyrocket. Matters are much worse for more serious driving offenses like speeding more than 20 over or drunk or drugged driving.
These consequences make it even more important to be sure you have experienced legal representation at your side every time you’re in court. A good traffic lawyer can help you save both time and money, sometimes amounting to hundreds of dollars in fines, penalties, and insurance premium hikes.
Possible PenaltiesFor most run of the mill traffic offenses you’re looking at a combination of time and money. Things like speeding violations have standard fines while other offenses like DUI additionally have other penalties such as loss of your driver’s license, probation, alcohol and drug testing and even considerable jail time. Moreover, getting a traffic ticket is aggravating and a cause for great inconvenience, including sometimes even missed days at work to go to court to get it all resolved. And if you lose your license you will have to depend on others for transportation.
Then you have all the points, which will increase your insurance costs, and if you accumulate enough points can even result in license suspension. It can take years before the insurance company reduces your rates.
How a Birmingham Traffic Attorney Can HelpYou should think about contacting a lawyer immediately after getting pulled over and ticketed or charged with any driving-related offense. In fact, it’s important to find and hire an experienced Michigan traffic lawyer – even if the offense is minor.
A good lawyer can help you avoid points and sometimes have the charges reduced or even dismissed. Avoiding points is especially important because as points accumulate over time the consequence for these points increase, even to the point of possible license suspension and increased costs in the form of a driver responsibility fee.
After accepting you as a client, an experienced traffic lawyer in Birmingham will learn and carefully review all the facts and circumstances of your case. When available this will include any narrative written police reports. A traffic lawyer with experience in your court can also help you decide if you should challenge your case and help you assess the likely chances of success in court.
For civil infractions, an experienced Birmingham traffic attorney can usually appear in court on your behalf so that you don’t have to appear at all. In your absence your lawyer can negotiate the prosecutor and place your plea on the record for you. The only thing your Birmingham traffic attorney can’t do is pay your fines and costs for you. The goal of course is to avoid points and other sanctions and ultimately, avoid skyrocketing insurance rates.
Most people who get a traffic ticket or are charged with a driving-related offense like DUI have lots of questions about their rights, possible defenses, and possible outcomes. Our experienced traffic attorneys in the Birmingham area will discuss with you your individual situation and will make recommendations about how to best challenge a traffic ticket or charge.