If you received a traffic ticket in the Grand Rapids area, you may be tempted to pay the fine and move on. However, before sending in your payment and pleading guilty to the infraction your ticket represents, you must take into account the hidden costs beyond the amount you will have to pay the state. Each ticket you receive adds points to your driving record, and many insurance carriers will raise your rates after even one traffic violation.
The long-term costs of even a minor infraction can end up being far greater than most people realize. If you have received a traffic ticket in the Grand Rapids area and are deciding whether to fight it, it is in your best interests to fully investigate all your legal options.
A Grand Rapids traffic lawyer can successfully assist clients in fighting all kinds of tickets and can help you avoid having a traffic violation added to your driving record. Call today to schedule a consultation with an attorney and discuss your case.
Common Traffic TicketsTraffic lawyers in Grand Rapids can assist clients fighting a wide variety of tickets. Michigan law provides that citations may be issued for a number of traffic-related offenses, some of which constitute criminal offenses. The Michigan Vehicle Code is located at Chapter 257, Michigan Compiled Laws.
Depending on the severity of the offense, each type of ticketable traffic offense is assigned a number of points, which will accrue to a driver’s record when the ticket is paid. Points remain on a person’s driving record for a period of two years. Too many points can result in suspension or even revocation of a driver’s license.
Some of the most common traffic-related offenses resulting in traffic tickets include:
SpeedingIt is illegal to drive at speeds higher than the posted speed limit in the State of Michigan. Further, the statewide maximum speed limit on all unposted highways is 55 miles per hour. The penalties associated with a speeding ticket will depend on how far in excess of the speed limit the driver was traveling at the time.
Reckless DrivingMany different behaviors behind the wheel can constitute reckless driving, a felony offense that can result in serious consequences. Acting in a way that demonstrates a disregard for driving laws while operating a motor vehicle constitutes reckless driving.
EludingEluding a police officer is a serious offense under Michigan law. A driver is required to pull over in a timely fashion whenever a law enforcement officer requests that they do so. What is considered timely will depend on a variety of circumstances, including current traffic conditions and the location of the traffic stop.
How a Traffic Lawyer Can HelpMichigan has many laws relating to the rules of the road, safe driving standards, and parking that all motorists must abide by. Traffic tickets may be issued by law enforcement for any violation of these laws, whether the driver is in the vehicle at the time or not.
Certain moving violations, such as speeding, reckless driving, or eluding a police officer are serious offenses that can have a lasting impact on a driver’s insurance rates, licensing costs, and driving privileges.
While most drivers feel that they have no option but to pay the fine once they have been issued a ticket, many of these types of infractions can be successfully reduced or dismissed if the driver is willing to fight the ticket in court. Especially for serious offenses, such as reckless driving, it is rarely in a driver’s best interests not to fight their ticket.
Contact an Attorney TodayMany commonly ticketed offenses come down to a judgment call by the ticketing officer, and forcing them to disprove a professionally mounted defense often results in dismissal. With the help of an experienced defense counsel, many infractions can be successfully reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed entirely, ensuring that no more points are added to a driver’s record.
If you have been ticketed for a traffic violation in the Grand Rapids, do not delay in exploring your legal options. Most traffic tickets require you to respond within a short period, and missing the deadline can harm your chances of successfully reducing or dismissing your ticket.
A Grand Rapids traffic lawyer can explain exactly what consequences your ticket may have and will determine all the legal options available to you. Fighting your ticket can help you avoid expensive increases in your insurance rates and keep your driving record clean.