If you've received a ticket, you may wonder if you should hire a speeding ticket attorney in Mono County.
Having an attorney can make a significant difference in how your case is managed—potentially avoiding severe financial and legal consequences.
Why Hire a Speeding Ticket Attorney?
The main reason to hire a speeding ticket attorney is to increase your chance of a favorable outcome.
An experienced speeding ticket lawyer could help you achieve a “not guilty” verdict. This prevents a mark on your California motor vehicle driving record (MVR) and avoids adding negligent operator treatment system (NOTS) points.
Avoiding these points can help you retain your “good driver’s discount” and prevent potential insurance increases, which can result from the risks associated with speeding.
Understanding California's Speeding Penalties
While specific fines, penalties, and surcharges may vary between counties, California uses a structured approach to speeding fines at four levels:
1-15 mph over the limit: The fine is about $238, one NOTS point. TVS may be an option.
16-24 mph over the limit: The fine is around $360, one NOTS point. TVS may be an option.
25 mph over the limit but less than 100 mph: Fine is nearly $500, one NOTS point. TVS is only permitted with a traffic court judge’s approval.
100+ mph: Major infraction with a required court appearance, fines between $859 and $2,137, and two NOTS points, which stay on your record for up to seven years.
A speeding ticket attorney can be particularly helpful in Mono County Traffic Court if your speed was significantly above the limit or you are not eligible for TVS.
For instance, speeding over 100 mph can carry severe consequences that impact your record and finances for years.
Impact of Speeding Tickets on Insurance Premiums
Speeding tickets can increase insurance premiums significantly.
The premium increase for the lower speed levels can be between 30-32% if you are ineligible for TVS.
An average premium of $2,573 annually for full coverage can add about $772 per year.
Higher speed levels, like those exceeding 25 mph over the limit, can raise premiums by 35-40%, with speeds over 100 mph possibly increasing them by thousands each year for up to seven years.
Keep in mind, these are averages, and Mono County auto insurance premiums are typically much lower than SF and LA, depending on your driving record and other factors.
“Drivers in Los Angeles, according to our research, pay an average rate for full coverage insurance of $3,508—36 percent more than the state average.”—Bankrate.com.
What’s more, your age and the age of other drivers on your policy will affect your premium”:
“California parents adding a 16-year-old driver to their full coverage auto insurance policy can expect an average premium of $6,189 per year.”—Bankrate.com.
Mono County Traffic Court Traffic Violator School Eligibility
Eligibility for TVS is not guaranteed. A driver may be ineligible if they:
Did not have a valid CA driver’s license when ticketed
Used TVS within the last 18 months
Were operating a commercial motor vehicle
Received a citation for a major infraction, misdemeanor, or felony
Were ticketed for offenses involving alcohol or drugs
Even if eligible for TVS, drivers in Mono County Traffic Court must meet all course requirements, pay related fees, and complete the program within a specific timeframe to avoid penalties.
If the driver does not complete the course on time, the guilty plea becomes a public record.
Why Hire a Speeding Ticket Attorney to Dispute Your Ticket
Hiring a speeding ticket attorney offers several benefits, including reducing fines, protecting your driving record, and potentially lowering the impact on your insurance premiums.
With a speeding ticket lawyer on your side, you increase your chance of favorable outcomes, which could preserve your record and family budget.
Consult Bigger & Harman’s Mono County Speeding Ticket Attorneys
Call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349-9300 when you need a speeding ticket attorney in Mammoth Lakes or Bridgeport Courthouse in Mono County, CA. Se habla Español 349-9755.
Otherwise, use our convenient-to-use contact form or email attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2024.
CA VC Section 22350, Speed Laws.