The most severe consequences of a traffic ticket are not the fines you have to pay, but rather the points on your license, the increase in your insurance premiums, and the possibility of license suspension. Losing your driving privileges could negatively impact your employment opportunities and your daily life.
If you were cited for a moving violation, call a Park Hills traffic lawyer for help. With knowledgeable criminal defense representation, you could avoid the severe consequences of a traffic ticket.
Traffic tickets often appear to be minor offenses, but they could have a significant impact on a person’s life. Besides the inconvenience of being unable to drive legally, having a suspended or revoked license could disqualify a person from holding certain jobs.
Common examples of traffic violations include:
If a person has a clean driving record, it may be simple to get a ticket dismissed. However, if a driver has a history of traffic violations, achieving a dismissal can be significantly more challenging. A skilled attorney in Park Hills could work to resolve a traffic ticket and collect evidence to help an alleged offender minimize their consequences.
In many cases, drivers could get their licenses suspended or revoked due to traffic tickets. A judge may suspend a motorist’s license if they fail to contest a ticket in court or forget to pay the relevant fine. Additionally, the Department of Revenue automatically suspends a license if a driver receives eight or more points within 18 months. An individual’s license will be revoked if they accumulate at least:
Judges are often willing to reduce traffic ticket fines or points in exchange for a defendant paying higher court fees. If there are speculations about whether the driver committed the infraction, an attorney could challenge the evidence and work to get a case dismissed.
If an individual failed to appear or pay a fine and a judge issued an arrest warrant, a legal professional could go to court to have the warrant recalled. In some cases, a judge may set a new court date to hear the case on the original infraction. A traffic lawyer in Park Hills could appear in court on one’s behalf and fight to protect a person’s driving privileges.
The state has a process to reinstate a driver’s license, but it often requires the submission of multiple forms and payments. Specific procedures vary depending on the type of license suspension or revocation and the reason for it.
For example, if a person has multiple DWIs within a given timeframe, their driving privileges will be restricted for five or ten years, depending on the number of convictions they received. According to Missouri Revised Statutes §302.060, an individual must have no new drug or alcohol-related charges or traffic tickets during the suspension period to regain driving privileges. An alleged defendant must also complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and undergo a criminal background check from the State Police.
After complying with these requirements, an alleged offender can file a lawsuit against the state seeking license reinstatement. A Park Hills attorney could guide an individual through the license restoration process and ensure they present a persuasive traffic case.
The ability to drive may be critical for getting to school, arriving at your job, and taking care of your family. If your driver’s license is suspended and revoked, it could be costly and inconvenient. Even if you retain your driving privileges, negative points on your license could increase your insurance rates.
A Park Hills traffic lawyer understands these issues and could pursue a strategy that limits your expenses and preserves your driving privileges. Call today to speak with a skilled attorney.
Maynard & Joyce, LLC
