Traffic violations can seem minor, and usually, a ticket can be paid without appearing in court. However, traffic tickets can become more serious crimes depending on the circumstances. You can face adverse consequences outside of criminal penalties.
If you have been cited for an alleged traffic violation, you should hire a Rochester traffic lawyer to aggressively defend you. Rather than simply paying it without a second thought, you should enlist the help of a credible criminal defense attorney to evaluate your specific situation. Do not attempt to navigate your case alone – this can lead to costly mistakes and increased penalties.
Several types of actions can lead to traffic violations, though most are considered petty misdemeanors, which are typically resolved by paying a fee for the ticket.
In some cases, a person can face harsher penalties if they commit a more serious violation. For example, at the ticketing officer’s discretion, a standard violation can be upgraded to a misdemeanor if the action endangered or was likely to endanger a person or property. A misdemeanor charge requires a court appearance and could lead to penalties of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Some common traffic violations include:
Even driving recklessly or while distracted can lead to a ticket and a misdemeanor if others could have been or were injured, such as in a car accident.
Of course, a misdemeanor charge and its penalties are only some potential consequences of a traffic violation, as a ticket can also lead to higher insurance premiums. Working with a traffic attorney at Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd. in Rochester can help you avoid these consequences and keep your driving record clean.
A ticket might seem self-explanatory, but there could be more to a case than what allegedly happened. A lawyer can help a driver prove that they did not commit a crime or that they deserve leniency.
A lawyer can gather evidence of what happened by requesting surveillance footage and video recordings from the ticketing police officer. They can also revisit the scene of the alleged crime to see if there are additional factors to consider.
Depending on the facts of the case, a driver can have various defenses, which an attorney can develop and build upon to prove reasonable doubt. For instance, if the police and prosecution misinterpreted the events surrounding the alleged traffic violation, a Rochester attorney can look to dismiss or reduce the traffic charge.
Taking a ticket seriously can help you reduce or potentially avoid legal penalties, such as losing your driver’s license, and other consequences of a traffic violation.
To learn more about defending against a traffic charge, reach out to a knowledgeable Rochester traffic lawyer at Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd. Our firm offers payment plans for criminal defense cases, unlike other firms in the area, so meet with our skilled legal team today to discuss your case and explore various potential defense strategies.
