Should I Talk to a Raleigh Criminal Defense Lawyer Before I Pay a Traffic Ticket?

Especially for people who live in large urban areas like Raleigh-Durham, traffic tickets are a fact of life. Officers hand out lots of traffic tickets, largely because they are a revenue source. As a result, traffic ticket fines and costs are a lot higher than they used to be. Additionally, too many traffic tickets could mean more than lots of fines. It could mean drivers’ license suspension as well.

Fighting a Traffic Ticket

In many situations, it’s possible to fight these traffic tickets and beat them in court. Many officers do not know the precise letter of the law, and many other times, the driver has an affirmative defense. And, the prosecutor has the burden of proof in these cases. So, a Raleigh criminal defense attorney has some options.

Speeding tickets are a good example. Many times, officers “pace” other cars to estimate their speed. Pacing is not much more precise than guessing. Moreover, radar guns are often inaccurate. Finally, the driver may have a mistake of fact defense, if the speed limit sign was missing or difficult to see due to vandalism or a tree branch.

Should You Pay Your Ticket?

Therefore, you should always talk to an attorney before paying a ticket. Such a payment could be a lot more than you think. And, paying the ticket is an admission of guilt. The infraction goes on your criminal record, and perhaps more importantly, your driving record as well. So, it may be better to fight the ticket. Then again, it may be a good idea to request defensive driving or another form of pretrial diversion. You never know unless you ask.

Speak to an Attorney Before Paying Your Ticket

Since so much is at stake and traffic laws are so complex, it is always a good idea to contact a skilled Raleigh traffic violations attorney at Sandman, Finn & Fitzhugh, Attorneys at Law, about your case. We evaluate your situation and offer solid legal advice as to your best course of action. Call us today at (919) 845-6688, or fill out the form to the right, to schedule a free consultation.