When you get a traffic ticket, simply paying the ticket may be tempting. Most traffic tickets are for relatively small amounts, so paying them may not seem like a big deal, especially considering the time needed to meet with a lawyer and go to court. However, the long-term impact of paying a traffic ticket can extend beyond the face value of the ticket. It can result in higher insurance rates, impact fault determinations in any related car accident litigation, and expose you to other penalties depending on the nature and severity of the traffic violation.
A Chicago traffic lawyer could help you understand the potential consequences of paying a ticket so you can decide whether to pay the ticket or fight it. Sometimes, a skilled criminal defense attorney may help you find a middle ground by negotiating reduced charges. They may be able to lower the fine, reduce the number of points on your license, and minimize the impact on your auto insurance rates.
Fighting a traffic ticket can be complicated because it often comes down to the defendant’s word against a police officer’s. Courts tend to give greater weight to police officer testimonies, even if there is no reason to believe they are more credible. A Chicago driving offense attorney could help explore more effective defenses in court.
Some offenses depend on calibrating machinery such as speed guns, breathalyzers, and other equipment. If these are not calibrated before use, a seasoned lawyer may be able to exclude evidence from them at trial. Without that evidence, the prosecution may be unable to prove the allegations against a defendant.
Other offenses depend on witness testimony. These violations include running red lights or stop signs, failure to yield, reckless driving, and tailgating. In these cases, a defendant has an advantage over a police officer if they have to testify. For the officer, the ticket is just one of hundreds—or even thousands—of similar incidents. For the driver, the events will stand out because of the consequences.
Working with the driver, a dedicated lawyer might prepare them for testimony and review any evidence that may help explain or excuse an offense. For example, if an overgrown tree or bush blocks a stop sign, an attorney may help gather evidence of the obstruction. If the weather impacted the events, an attorney could look up the weather conditions that day.
Even if a defense is unsuccessful, it may still benefit a defendant facing civil charges. A criminal conviction, even for a traffic violation, could be used as evidence in a civil trial because the burden of proof in criminal trials is higher than in civil cases. Delaying the resolution of a criminal case may help a defendant prevent a conviction from being used against them in a related civil dispute.
Traffic attorneys handle various cases, ranging from simple traffic offenses to cases involving crashes or allegations of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Some common low-level traffic violations include:
The severity of the charge often depends on the circumstances. For an isolated ticket, a credible traffic lawyer in Chicago may recommend taking defensive driving to get the charge dismissed if the driver has a clean driving history. However, a lawyer may need to explore more creative defense options for more serious offenses.
The best way to understand your legal options is to schedule a free case evaluation with a proactive Chicago traffic lawyer. The attorneys at Price Benowitz are available to examine the conditions surrounding a traffic violation and the associated civil penalties. They could provide the necessary information to decide whether to pay the ticket or challenge it.
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