If you were charged with a traffic violation, you might be wondering about your legal rights. While many people will pay the fine, even a minor citation can have a lasting impact on your record. No matter why you were stopped, our tenacious criminal defense attorneys at Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office, Chtd. are here to help you.
As Mankato traffic lawyers, we are familiar with the traffic citation process in Minnesota and could help you negotiate a deal with prosecutors. Our goal is to achieve a fair result for our clients. If this is your first violation, you should not have to deal with increased insurance premiums and other penalties on your own, and we could walk you through your options.
In Minnesota, traffic violations can range from minor offenses to serious criminal charges. Generally, there are two types of traffic citations:
Most speeding tickets, violations of traffic signals, such as running stop signs or red lights, failing to yield, improper lane changes, and parking violations fall under this category. These typically involve fines and may impact someone’s driving record.
More serious offenses like driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, or driving without insurance are charged as misdemeanors. These offenses can lead to steeper fines, license suspension, or even jail time.
When a driver is issued a traffic ticket, they are cited for a court date. Failure to appear could impact the case’s resolution and lead to additional fines or penalties. Retaining a Mankato attorney who is well-versed in handling traffic cases could help a person avoid the risk of missing a court date.
Although a traffic citation is not criminal, there can be severe consequences associated with a conviction. Charges for DUI or reckless driving carry jail time and significant financial penalties. Not to mention, those convicted of subsequent offenses face additional consequences, including the potential suspension of their license. While it may seem unnecessary, hiring a knowledgeable lawyer in Mankato could save a person time and money for a traffic case. They could help to:
Most traffic violations stay on a driver’s record for a mandatory minimum of five years. This applies to moving violations, such as speeding, stop sign violations, and HOV lane violations. In addition, alcohol-related violations like DUIs stay on a driver’s record permanently. After five years, the driver can request that certain violations be removed from their record.
When you have been charged with a traffic citation, speak with a Mankato traffic lawyer about your legal rights. Our experienced attorneys could negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf and see about having the charges reduced or dropped entirely. We could also advocate for a plea deal to avoid license points or insurance charges.
While it may seem like the easier option to plead guilty and pay the fine, there are long-term consequences to having a traffic violation on your record. Call our firm today to schedule a consultation about your case.
