7 Questions To Ask A Traffic Lawyer Before Hiring Them

If you have obtained a traffic ticket in New Orleans, you likely have a number of questions about how to handle the situation. Should you pay the fine or fight the ticket in court? How can a traffic lawyer help you? Rest assured, an experienced traffic lawyer will gladly provide the answers to your questions. However, what questions should you ask a traffic lawyer in order to know if they are the right one to represent your case?

What Should I Ask A Traffic Lawyer?

1. Why do I need a traffic attorney?

In spite of the urging by some to fight all traffic tickets in order to reduce the consequences those tickets have on your driving record and your insurance, it is estimated that only five percent of Americans who receive a traffic ticket choose to fight it.

There must be some benefit to hiring an attorney to help you fight your traffic ticket. If you’re looking to reduce the fines or the severity of the violation you have been accused of, these are good reasons to hire an attorney. If you have had multiple traffic offenses in recent years or you have a job as a driver and the offense you’re accused of will result in the loss of your license or the loss of your job upon conviction, these are also good reasons to hire a traffic attorney. The attorney you’re speaking with should have several answers to this question.

2. How long have you been a traffic lawyer?

When it comes to fighting a traffic ticket, particularly if the stakes are high and you stand to lose a lot by simply pleading guilty and paying the fine, you need experience on your side. A traffic attorney who has been working for several years will likely understand far more about the legal process and the options that are available to fight a ticket than one who is just starting out.

3. How many cases like mine have you successfully handled?

As important as experience is, success is equally important. A lawyer with a reputation for winning cases like yours will present a higher likelihood of success than one who hasn’t yet established a winning record yet.

4. What would you consider a successful outcome in my case?

In all likelihood, you have your own idea of what a successful outcome is in your case. Whether your goal is to get the ticket dismissed entirely or you would be happy simply having the moving violation reduced to a non-moving violation in order to avoid the ding that your driving record and your insurance premium will take, it is important that the attorney that represents your case is working toward the same outcome as you are. The only way to know that you’re on the same page is to have a candid discussion as to the outcome that each of you would feel satisfied with and to develop a plan as to how to get there.

5. Will you represent me in court or will I be represented by someone else in your firm?

It is not uncommon for traffic law firms to have their well-known lawyer meet with prospective clients and then a lesser experienced lawyer handle the case in court. While newer lawyers need this experience in order to develop the skills they need to provide effective representation of their clients, it is important that you know who is going to be doing the work on your case, and who your point of contact at the firm is. Depending on the circumstances of your case and what is at stake, it would not be considered out of line for you to request that a more experienced attorney from the firm be involved in the case.

6. How much will you charge me and how does your firm handle payments?

Generally, attorneys will let their prospective clients know the particulars about fees and how the firm handles payments. This information will also be included in the contract you sign when you decide to hire a lawyer. However, it does not hurt to ask about payment as well to ensure that you have a complete understanding of what is financially expected of you.

7. What are my options for resolving my case?

At first glance, it would seem that your options are simple: you either pay the ticket or you appear in court to fight it. However, there are many things that individuals who are dealing with traffic tickets often don’t know. One of these things is that, if you opt to pay the ticket, you are essentially pleading guilty to a crime. This guilty plea can hurt more than your wallet, as the ticket can appear on your permanent driving record. While Louisiana doesn’t have a point system, whereby traffic offenses count against your license and can result in you losing your license if you lose too many points. However, Louisiana drivers still run the risk of losing their license if they are habitual traffic offenders, and the ticket can still result in increased insurance premiums as well as increased fines for future traffic offenses.

Reach out today for a free consultation.