Why Paying That Traffic Ticket May Not Be the Best Idea
If you are like most people, when you receive a traffic ticket, you want to put it behind you quickly. You may believe the best way to do so is to pay the ticket and move on, however this common belief can lead to a number of adverse consequences. Whether your traffic citation is a civil infraction or a criminal citation, if it involves a moving violation, a conviction will add points to your driving record, threatening your license. When you pay a ticket, you essentially plead guilty to the offense and receive a conviction. That conviction can have far-reaching results, particularly if it is for a criminal traffic violation.
In a large number of cases, speaking to an experienced Key West traffic ticket attorney is the very best way to minimize the long-term effects of your citation. The attorneys at our firm will work hard to try have your ticket dismissed, however if that is not possible, we will aggressively pursue a lesser charge on your behalf. A criminal conviction can cause you trouble when you seek employment, attempt to rent a home, obtain a professional license or secure a government student loan. Don’t pay your traffic citation without speaking to a knowledgeable Key West traffic attorney and understanding all your options.
Speeding and Other Moving Violations
Traffic tickets are most commonly given for speeding—it is very easy to get distracted and not even realize you are exceeding the speed limit. Other times, you may be very aware you are exceeding the speed limit, hoping you won’t be caught. Perhaps you were late to work, late to an appointment, or simply had a “lead foot.” In any case, it is never a pleasant experience to receive a speeding ticket, and, depending on how many points you already have on your driving record, paying the ticket can be a very bad idea. Speaking to a Key West speeding ticket lawyer can truly be the very best choice you can make after receiving a ticket for exceeding the speed limit.
A ticket attorney in Key West may be able to challenge your speeding ticket, based on a number of technicalities. An experienced Key West speeding ticket attorney can question the police officer on the type of radar/laser device that was used to clock your speed, determining whether the device was properly calibrated, properly maintained and whether the officer had sufficient training to use the device correctly. A knowledgeable speeding ticket attorney in Key West will work to have your ticket dismissed, or, at the least, negotiated down to a lesser offense with fewer points.
More Serious Traffic Citations
The most common types of traffic citations a good portion of us will receive over our driving careers are speeding tickets, violations of SunPass and toll booth regulations and running a stop sign/red light. Some traffic citations are much more serious and could actually land you behind bars. It is imperative that you contact an experienced traffic ticket attorney in Key West as soon as you receive such a ticket—or are arrested. Some of the types of more serious traffic citations include:
Reckless driving—Many people believe careless driving and reckless driving are the same thing, however reckless driving is a much more serious offense. Both reckless driving and careless driving citations indicate a vehicle is being operated irresponsibly, however a careless driver may be unaware of their bad driving, while a reckless driver is acting willfully in a manner which can cause damage to property or physical injury. Because both careless driving and reckless driving tickets rely heavily on the opinion of the ticketing officer, they may be fought in court with a certain level of success, with an experienced Key West traffic ticket lawyer. Since a reckless driving conviction can bring hefty fines and jail time, you definitely need a professional attorney by your side.
Aggressive careless driving—An officer may mark on your ticket that you were engaged in “aggressive” careless driving, which means you are alleged to have committed more than one of the following at the same time:
Leaving the scene of an accident which involves property damage but not physical injury is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by sixty days in jail and six points added to your driver’s license should you be convicted. In a leaving the scene of an accident case in which a person is injured or killed, you could face felony charges, therefore contacting a Key West traffic ticket attorney as soon as possible is extremely important.
Whether you were arrested or not, traffic citations are serious business—you could end up in jail, lose your driver’s license or have sufficient points added to your driving record that your license is suspended. Your insurance rates will likely skyrocket, and some criminal traffic offenses can affect your employment opportunities as well.
Call Our Firm When You Need an Experienced Key West Traffic Ticket Attorney
While you certainly have choices when you look for a Key West traffic ticket attorney, we believe you should call our attorneys due to our extensive experience with all types of traffic offenses. We can fight serious charges such as DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving as well as lesser—but still serious—offenses such as: speeding, failure to yield, following too closely, running a red light or stop sign, toll booth or SunPass violations, careless driving, street racing, driving with a suspended, revoked or cancelled license, failure to provide proof of insurance, failure to have children properly restrained and failure to wear a seat belt.
The experience of our attorneys really shines through when we go to bat for our clients. We believe there is no such thing as “just” a traffic ticket, therefore we use a team approach for every single client—after all, six legal minds are always better than one! Our goal is to try and secure the very best possible outcome on your behalf, with the minimal amount of long-term consequences. The credentials of our traffic ticket attorneys in Key West are stellar; and we will use these as well as every legal tactic in our arsenal on your behalf. Call our office today for a free consultation on your Key West traffic ticket and receive quality representation which protects your future.
Attorney David A. Haenel, renowned in Florida for his excellent record in criminal defense, DUI, and traffic ticket cases, and has been delivering favorable outcomes for his clients since 2000. With a law degree and a Master of Law in criminal law, his background includes a notable tenure as the State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year
