Thousands of people receive traffic violations every day from local police officers or state troopers. There are several ways that people choose to handle traffic tickets, such as simply mailing a check to pay the fine, showing up at court to try to contest the ticket, or making the worst decision and ignoring the ticket. While you should never consider ignoring a ticket, it is advisable to consider hiring an experienced attorney to appear on your behalf to negotiate a good outcome or get the case dismissed at trial. Paying a ticket outright will result in fines and demerit points for most violations. Demerit points can cause your insurance rates to rise or even cause you to lose your license temporarily if you amass too many. Hiring a Fairfax traffic violations lawyer can help you get tickets negotiated, amended, or even dismissed so you pay lower fines and possibly avoid points altogether.
When you are convicted of a traffic offense, the court sends notice to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for Virginia licensed drivers. Out of state drivers will have any convictions reported to their home state, which will assess points and take action based on their system. The DMV in turn does the following:
- Posts the conviction to your driving record — the length of time the conviction stays on your record depends on the severity of the offense.
- Assigns a number of demerit points to your license according to the Virginia DMV points system (3, 4, or 6 points).
- Notifies your insurance company of the conviction and associated demerit points.
- Orders you to complete a driver improvement clinic, if applicable to the offense and your driving history.
- Orders the suspension of your driver's license if applicable to the charge or total number of points on your license.
For some traffic offenses the judge can order an additional sentence. For instance, a reckless driving conviction carries a possible penalty of up to 12 months in jail and $2,500 fine. The court may suspend the license for up to six months. Reckless Driving, Hit and Run, DUI and other serious traffic convictions may keep you from working in certain industries, such as delivery jobs or other jobs that require commercial driving. A good traffic attorney can help mitigate the effects of these charges. Protect your employment, security clearances, immigration status and insurance rates from harm! Reach out to an established law firm for guidance and representation.
Call a Fairfax Traffic Violations Lawyer Today
If you have received any type of traffic ticket or charge, contact an experienced attorney to schedule a free consultation. Traffic lawyers are often able to get more favorable results for you in court, including reduction or dismissal of charges, lower fines, fewer points, and avoidance of jail time and license suspension. In most cases the attorney can appear in court on your behalf, so you do not have to take time off from work or family.