When issued a ticket for speeding, you may have several questions about what you should do next. Although it is easier to plead guilty and pay a fine, drivers may want to contest a ticket if the penalties include points added to their license and the chance of having their license suspended.
If you have been issued a speeding ticket and would like to contest it, speak with an knowledgeable attorney capable of asking any of the frequently asked questions about speeding tickets in West Palm Beach.
When Would a Person Show Up in Court for a Speeding Ticket?
When a driver is issued a speeding ticket, they would only have to show up in court for specific reasons. Unless the driver pleads guilty and pays for the ticket, a driver would have to present themselves in court if they want to contest the ticket or the ticket is for driving more than 30 mph over the limit or 50 mph over the limit. This would not apply if an Attorney is representing the driver.
If a driver decides to plead guilty and pay the ticket, they may be required to go to driving school in order to avoid points being added to their license. They can take this option five times in their life and no more than once every 12 months.
Are Reckless Driving Charges Administered in the Form of a Speeding Ticket?
The difference between reckless driving and a speeding ticket is that a reckless driving charge is considered a criminal charge and a misdemeanor offense. A speeding ticket, on the other hand, is a civil infraction that is not considered a crime. Depending on the circumstances, a person could face 90 to 365 days in jail, probation, and a license suspension for a reckless driving offense. A driver does not go to jail for a speeding ticket.
Speeding offenses can still be combined with other charges. For example, if a driver is weaving in and out of traffic, not using their turn signal, and effecting other traffic, the driver could be charged with reckless driving in addition to a speeding ticket.
What Factors Impact the Penalties of a Speeding Offense?
The penalties associated with a speeding ticket in West Palm Beach depend on the facts of the case, the person’s record, and their driving history. It also depends on the Hearing Officer, the Judge, and the police officer. A driver’s cooperation would also be taken into account.
In some cases where the driver’s history is clean and they fully cooperated with law enforcement, a driver’s penalties could be reduced, or potentially dismissed.
How can an Attorney Help?
One of the main benefits of hiring an attorney at Leifert & Leifert is that it increases the chances of rendering a favorable outcome to your case. If an attorney cannot get a speeding ticket dismissed, they could potentially reduce the penalties including any points being added to your license and the requirement to pay a fine. Although you may still be required to go to traffic school, you can at the very least walk away with your driving privileges intact. Best of all, the driver is not required to be in Court if they are represented by an Attorney.
For help with contesting a ticket, get in touch with an attorney familiar with the frequently asked questions about speeding tickets in West Palm Beach.
