7 Things You Need To Know Before Deciding To Fight Your Ticket

If you have been involved in a traffic stop, there are several things you should know prior to fighting your traffic ticket. We always encourage individuals to fight their ticket, regardless of whether they decide to hire our firm to fight on their behalf. If you received a traffic ticket, you can fight to reduce the ticket or even get it dismissed altogether. The information below provides a brief snapshot of some items to consider prior to fighting your ticket. To receive more personalized advice and a deeper level of information, contact us right away to discuss the details of your ticket.

1. There are Different Types of Traffic Tickets

When evaluating whether you should fight your ticket, you should first determine whether your ticket is one that you can beat in traffic court or one that will not go to traffic court. The answer to this question will help ascertain if it will be beneficial to fight your ticket. It can be difficult to determine which type of ticket you have. We have significant experience in classifying and fighting traffic tickets and can help you determine what type of ticket you are facing

2. You should Determine When it’s Worth Fighting Your Ticket

We recommend evaluating on a cost-benefit analysis whether you should fight your ticket or not. For example, if you do not have a history of traffic offenses, you may assume it’s worth paying the ticket and avoiding the time spent in court. However, that is often not true. One thing to keep in mind is that if you simply pay your ticket you are admitting guilt, meaning that you will likely be facing increased car insurance rates. Increased insurance rates alone usually make it worth fighting the ticket yourself or hiring an attorney to handle it. I have had numerous clients who didn’t appreciate how having a moving violation on their driving record with impact their future job prospects. Once you plead guilty it is on your record and while it is possible to be removed, it is a often an expensive and timely process.

3. Investigate the Charges on Your Ticket

One of the first things our team of skilled attorneys will do is evaluate the exact wording of the law on your ticket. The details and specific wording are critical to fighting your ticket. We understand the nuances in the laws and how violations are defined. We will work with you to understand the facts in your case to determine whether we can show that the officer will be unable to prove every component of the law, and thus not be able to get a conviction.

4. Obtain the Best Defense for Success

We will look at the circumstances pertaining to your case to determine whether the officer correctly observed the situation. We encourage drivers that are fighting a traffic ticket to consult with an attorney because often a defense may not be a legal defense, but rather an excuse. Lack of knowledge is not an excuse for breaking the law. For example, if a driver says, “I didn’t know the speed limit.” This is not a convincing argument for a judge because it is not a legal defense. Furthermore, if your defense is simply debating the Officer’s version of events without additional evidence, you will not likely experience challenges with a positive outcome.

5. The benefit of an Officer Failing to Show Up to Court

If an officer fails to show up to your trial, you typically will win the case. However, in many cases, the prosecution is granted one continuance. The court is not being unfair here as they will usually allow you to have one continuance as well. However, what it means is that if you want to fight your ticket you have to be prepared to make multiple court appearances unless you hire an attorney.

6. Divisions of New Orleans Traffic Court

When you have the court date set for your ticket, in New Orleans, you will be placed in a “Division.” We encourage you to know what division you are placed in so that you know that time you will need to appear and what judge you will be before.

Contact an Experienced New Orleans Traffic Ticket Attorney As Soon As Possible

We understand that traffic tickets can be expensive and the repercussions of traffic tickets, such as a suspension of your license, can impact your livelihood. Because of the critical nature of operating a vehicle, we encourage individuals to contact an experienced attorney to help them fight their traffic ticket.

Reach out today for a free consultation to discuss your ticket.