TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS
Though traffic offenses are the most common in the criminal court system, they can result in inconvenience and considerable expense. The hours spent waiting in court are an inconvenience to the average person's work schedule. Also, a resulting increase in insurance rates can pose economic hardship to some.
For instance, speeding tickets may result in up to Four insurance points, giving the driver a 90% increase in automobile insurance rates. A charge of Driving While Impaired typically results in a 400% insurance rate increase.
Don't make the mistake of ignoring your impending court date. Failure to appear in court can result in a bench warrant for arrest and an additional $200 court fine for each failure to appear.
You are entitled to represent yourself in court, but there are several advantages to having legal representation. First, many people simply don't know what is appropriate to ask of the Assistant District Attorney in regards to a specific traffic infraction. Also, having an attorney lends credibility to your side of the story.
Assistant District Attorneys often give greater weight to extenuating or mitigating circumstances when they are conveyed by someone they recognize in a professional capacity. Third, hiring an attorney shows you take the charge seriously and respect the legal process.
Finally, unless your matter is one requires the defendant's mandatory appearance, you won't have to spend your day waiting to speak the Assistant District Attorney and/or going before the judge.
The following is Sandra Hall's fee schedule for some common traffic offenses:
* Speeding ticket: $350 plus court costs
* Failure to use proper child restraint: $300 plus court costs
* Reckless or careless driving: $400 plus court costs
* Driving while impaired: $800- $2500 plus court costs, depending on whether case will go to trial. ($500 for Limited Driving Privilege when available to the driver.)
Call Sandra Hall Today! 919-597-8995
