Each year, drivers all over the nation are cited for tickets they do not feel like they deserve. Getting cited for a traffic violation when you feel like you did not deserve it can be frustrating and may leave you wanting to fight the traffic violation in court. Similarly, you may be wondering if you need to hire an attorney for your traffic violation.
Ultimately, whether or not you should hire an attorney will depend on the specifics surrounding your case, but here are some factors worth considering.
Traffic Violations and Traffic Crimes
Foremost, traffic violations are different than traffic crimes. While violations, which are also known as infractions, are less serious than traffic crimes, there are certain situations in which you may want to hire an attorney.
In any case, traffic violations are not considered crimes because they hold no potential jail sentence. Traffic violations hold fewer rights than crimes, too. For example, with a traffic violation, you will have the right to a trial, but only a judge, rather than a jury, will hear your case.
Should I Hire an Attorney?
Minor Traffic Violations
If you have received a minor traffic violation that you believe is unjust, your initial reaction might be to fight it. However, in many cases, it is often easier to simply pay the fine and avoid going through the motions of hiring an attorney and bringing your violation to court. Minor infractions include parking tickets or failing to stop at a stop sign.
Serious Traffic Violations
More serious traffic violations will not always require the help from a legal professional, but an attorney may be able to help guide you through the process. Some of the more serious traffic violations for which you may want to assistance of an attorney include: speeding tickets, driving uninsured or without a license, and lane change violations.
Call the Attorneys at Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins
If you are facing a traffic violation or traffic crime, it can be a confusing time, especially if you are not sure what your next step should be. The attorneys at Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins are here to help and can guide you through the legal process. For more information about our team, click here or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.