If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation, you may be wondering what next steps you should take. The answer is different depending on what kind of violation you’ve been charged with or convicted of. For moving violations like driving without a seatbelt or speeding over 25 miles per hour faster than the speed limit, you’ll likely receive points on your license that, if they accumulate to a certain level within a given period of time, could result in your license being revoked.
Often, charges like these can be resolved with something as simple as an approved defensive driving course, but that won’t always be enough for every situation. If you’ve received a violation too recently or possess a commercial driver’s license, you won’t be eligible for point reduction via this route.
These violations and their corresponding punishments also aren’t as serious as charges like driving under the influence or a hit and run. In cases like these, points may not even necessarily be added to your license; more likely, it’ll be revoked automatically, and more importantly, you’ll be facing criminal charges that could result in large fines and even land you in prison.
In any of these situations, one thing is clear: you need the help of an experienced traffic violation lawyer to help manage the situation. That’s why in this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how a lawyer can help you in these cases, particularly when you aren’t eligible for ticket dismissal through a defensive driving course or when you’re facing a more serious criminal traffic violation.
When you aren’t eligible for ticket dismissal through a defensive driving course
As mentioned previously, not everyone can remove points from their license and get a traffic ticket dismissed by taking a defensive driving course. It’s typically the fastest and easiest solution, but if you possess a CDL or have had a violation dismissed within the past year, it isn’t a solution that’s viable for you. Other circumstances, like refusing to plead “no contest” for your violation, may also make you ineligible for point reduction through this route.
When a course won’t help, a lawyer could. There may be elements of your case that a lawyer can identify to help build a defense for you and get your ticket dismissed. In any case, an attorney is best-equipped to help you understand your case as comprehensively as possible and take every option into consideration.
When you’ve been charged with a serious traffic violation
Serious traffic violations carry much greater consequences than simply the possibility of points on your license or getting your license suspended, although in cases like these your license will likely be automatically revoked. If you carry a CDL, this suspension is likely to be permanent, impacting your livelihood in a long-term way. More importantly, though, you may be facing major fines and potentially even jail time.
Generally, “serious” traffic violations refer to charges like driving under the influence, with an invalid license, without insurance, or even a hit and run. In cases like these, no matter what, it’s crucial that you talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Talk to the traffic violation lawyers at Monks Law Firm now
When you’re facing threats to your ability to keep your license and stay on the road, an experienced traffic violation lawyer is the best tool in your arsenal when it comes to defending yourself. The attorneys at Monks Law Firm are ready to help examine your case and build a defense that’ll help you keep driving for years to come. For a free consultation, contact us now by phone, email, or the contact form on our website.
