Getting a speeding ticket in New Orleans can cost money, time, and in some cases, it can even cost you your freedom. If you get a speeding ticket for going 20 MPH over the speed limit, this is particularly true. An experienced traffic ticket attorney can help you understand your legal options and may even be able to help you get your ticket reduced or even dismissed.
In New Orleans, most speeding tickets will cost $302.50. If your speed is excessive, the officer may also add the additional charge of careless operation. A ticket with speeding and careless operation charges will result in a fine of over $600. A speed of 30 miles over could result in a reckless operation charge which is a significant charge. However, the fine is not the only worry with this type of ticket. A conviction of a moving violation, such as a speeding infraction, will appear on your driving record for three years and can result in an increase to your auto insurance premiums of 25 to 400 percent. Information about the ticket will also be available to prospective employers, landlords, and others through simple background checks, potentially causing difficulties in your day-to-day life.
New Orleans traffic ticket lawyer Heather C. Ford explains why you should always consider fighting your speeding ticket…
When you receive a speeding ticket in New Orleans, you have two options:
Many drivers are tempted to do this, thinking that paying the ticket is the simplest way to make the issue go away. However, this is not the case. First of all, if you were speeding more than 20 MPH over the limit, you may be required to go to court anyway, even if you plan to pay. If you agree to pay the ticket, you are pleading guilty to the crime and will be subject to the full fines and other penalties, such as:
With any type of payment, you will want to be sure to provide your ticket number. Your ticket number will be printed twice on the citation, and it generally starts with a letter followed by 6 or 7 numbers.
Contrary to popular belief, even if you actually were guilty of speeding 20 MPH over the limit, you may have the ability to reduce the charge to a non-moving violation or even get the ticket dismissed by fighting the ticket with the help of an attorney. At the bottom of the citation, there will be a court date. This date isn’t necessarily a date when you must come in and handle the ticket; rather, it is generally a date to appear at the courthouse in order to set the court date for handling the ticket.
To ensure that the ticket is in the system, you can go to the city’s website address and enter your ticket number, or you can call the Clerk’s office at (504) 658-8500 and ask. Once the ticket is in the system, you must appear in order to set the ticket, meaning it will be assigned a division and court date. On this court date, you will have the opportunity to meet with the city attorney and negotiate a dismissal of the case, if possible, or a plea deal, or your attorney can do this for you. Once a deal has been reached, you can pay the fine associated with the negotiated charge or set up a payment plan. If you are unable to reach an agreement, the case will typically go on to a third court date.
Calling an attorney as soon as possible after receiving a speeding ticket allows them to ensure that your rights are honored during the process and prevents late fees or other potential penalties that result from missing your initial appear-by date. It also provides your attorney the time he or she needs to examine the details of your case and help you determine how best to proceed.
The Law Office of Heather C. Ford will give you peace of mind in your speeding ticket over 20 mph case. She will professionally and effectively represent you on your behalf in front of any prosecutors or judges. Trust that your case will be handled with your best interests in mind. Text us a copy of your traffic tickets or request a free consultation to start building your defense.
Serving New Orleans and surrounding area — We solve traffic problems
From a speeding ticket to a long term suspended license, we can help you. We are committed to making the legal process as quick and efficient as possible for every client. If you have received a speeding ticket over 20 mph or any other traffic violation — Contact our office immediately to schedule a consultation.
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Avoid Anxiety:Don’t Just Pay It — Pleading Guilty Can Have Lasting Implications. We Can Help.
Between myself and my family, we keep Heather busy! She is very professional and knowledgeable. I have spent a lot of money and ruined my driving record paying off speeding tickets but when I found Heather, I found that she is the best
My experience with the Law Office of Heather C. Ford was outstanding. I would recommend this team to anyone that has received a traffic ticket in the metro New Orleans area....
I found Heather online after searching for a traffic lawyer. Since I am not from the area, I was not 100% sure but went with my gut after reading the positive comments. And I was right! I am really pleased with Heather Ford's...
I was thrilled when Heather was able to get my ticket reduced to a non-moving violation and the judge waived fees. I never thought that was possible. I was certain I'd have to pay something. She's great...
Ms. Ford is all that I could ask for in an advocate.
My experience has been as pleasurable as can be expected when you need a lawyer.
Driving 20+ miles per hour over the speed limit is not cause enough on its own to be considered a felony. Felony driving charges usually only occur when someone was seriously injured in an accident, or for repeat DUI offenders.
In Louisiana, if you are driving 25+ miles per hour over the speed limit it is automatically considered reckless driving. That being said, driving as little as 10 mph over the speed limit can be considered reckless driving under certain circumstances (such as if you are racing another vehicle).
In many situations, hiring a speeding ticket lawyer is definitely worth it. If the speeding ticket you received could cause you to lose your license, or have implications for your employment, you will want to fight it in court. These situations are even more likely if your speeding ticket was for 20 mph or more over the speed limit. Fighting speeding tickets is not as simple as one may think, which is why an experienced attorney will give you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
