Speeding ticket is a serious offense that can have a major impact on your life. Depending on the type of speed limit violation and whether it is an infraction, misdemeanor or felony, you could be facing fines, court costs and driver’s license points. In addition, for drivers with CDL licenses or Junior licenses, points accumulated can lead to license suspension.
It can be difficult to keep track of your speed behind the wheel, especially when you are rushing or in a hurry. Sometimes, your speed creeps up and you find yourself a few miles over the legal limit.
For most drivers, a Speeding ticket can cause significant financial hardship. The fines, court costs and license points will add up, and you may see an increase in your auto insurance premiums. This makes it even more important to challenge the ticket.
When deciding whether to fight a speeding ticket, it is important to consider how it will affect your driving record, current and future employment, and other factors. The decision to fight a ticket also depends on the severity of the offense and whether it is an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony. Generally, less severe offenses such as a speeding ticket are heard in traffic courts, while more severe offenses, like drunk driving and serious accidents, are usually tried in criminal courts.
Typically, when you are pulled over for speeding, an officer will notify you of your rights and ask you to plead guilty or not guilty. If you are not familiar with the law or traffic court procedure, it can be difficult to decide how to plead. Choosing to plead “Not Guilty” means you will go to trial and argue your case to the judge.
The specifics of the process can vary depending on the jurisdiction, but in general a speeding ticket hearing is done in the district or traffic court where you got pulled over. A traffic attorney will help you understand the procedure and rules in your area.
If you decide to fight your ticket, you will need to gather evidence such as photographs of the location where you were pulled over, and any other circumstances that could be used to support your argument. These can include things such as foliage obscuring speed limit signs, poor lighting (if you were pulled over at night), or normal heavy traffic for that day and time of the year.
In many cases, it is possible to convince the prosecutor to drop the ticket if you are able to raise reasonable doubts about the police officer’s observations and judgment. For this reason, it is important to hire a traffic attorney who has experience fighting speeding tickets and knows the local court system.
The first step is to read the information on the front of the ticket, which will show what type of violation you are accused of and what the penalty amounts are. If you want to plead not guilty, the ticket will also feature a spot to request a supporting deposition, which is usually signed by the officer who gave you the speeding ticket.
New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers
1 Fordham Plaza
Bronx, NY 10458
(646) 388-4871
www.trafficlawyersbronx.com