Many people think that they should save the money for a lawyer and represent themselves when they get a speeding ticket. They think it’s easy to explain what happened and ask for leniency.
This strategy seldom works out the way they plan when they get stage fright or admit guilt. Everyone thinks they will be fine if they prepare what they will say and practice it, but when they stand up in front of all those people, things change.
Get a Traffic Attorney to Represent You to Dispute a Speeding Ticket
Even when you get “Cousin Vinnie” the divorce lawyer to represent you for free, you might not get your money’s worth. Typically, lawyers who practice other areas of law hire a traffic attorney to dispute their speeding ticket.
Traffic court is unlike any other courtroom. You could wait six or eight hours for your name to be called and then have two to five minutes to present your case. If you need a witness or a supporting document, you better have the witness or document with you because you will not get a “five-minute break” to get it like on TV.
Consider What You Get with a Knowledgeable & Experienced Traffic Attorney
The average person has no traffic court experience, and a family law professional has courtroom experience, but it is not from traffic court. When you defend yourself, you might need to go to court twice; once for arraignment to plead not guilty and again for your trial date. If you hire an attorney, you won’t need to go at all. They can represent you without your presence.
So, why hire a traffic attorney?
Experience and Knowledge of Previous Traffic Court Rulings
A traffic attorney sits through hundreds of cases per week waiting for their clients’ cases. Therefore, they hear how each judge rules, not only on their clients’ cases but others as well. They have a fistful of options and strategies you have no idea even exist. Don’t feel bad; Cousin Vinnie probably doesn’t have that knowledge either.
A traffic attorney has other knowledge at their disposal as well. They typically know the LEO who issued you the ticket and whether they are in court the day of trial. If they’re not in court, they know to ask for a dismissal.
Self-Incrimination
When you represent yourself, there’s a significant chance you will say something that will incriminate yourself, such as, “I may have been going a little over the speed limit, but I was just keeping up with traffic, or I thought I could make it through the light before it turned red.” A traffic attorney knows what to focus on to raise the level of doubt about your guilt.
They Know When to Negotiate a Reduced Charge
If the LEO is in court and your case is shaky, a traffic attorney can approach the judge about a non-moving, no-point violation. You might need to pay the fine, but your insurance will not increase. That could save you $1,500 or more, depending on the charge.
That could be invaluable if you already have two or three negligent operator treatment system (NOTS) points to keep you from getting a driver’s license suspension.
Bigger & Harman, APC Regularly Appears in Fresno County Traffic Court
When you have a speeding ticket from I-5 or Highway 99, call Bigger & Harman, (661) 349-9300. Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.
We have the knowledge and experience gathered from thousands of cases in Traffic Courts across Central Valley.
Email: attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
The 2020 CA Driver Handbook.pdf