The Costs of Contesting a Traffic Ticket: Is It Worth It?

When a police officer pulls you over for running a red light or stop sign, they issue you a traffic ticket. You can pay the ticket, deal with the points on your record, or contest the violation. Whether it is worth the cost of fighting a speeding ticket depends on your specific situation. You have to weigh the costs in time and money against how much it will cost to plead guilty.

The costs of a traffic ticket depend on local traffic laws and your driving record. For legal advice about whether it is worth it to contest a traffic ticket, contact a local traffic violation attorney.

Understanding the Costs of Contesting a Traffic Violation

It costs time and money to contest a moving violation. The costs of challenging a ticket in traffic court depend on how you handle your ticket. Generally, your options to contest a traffic offense include:

• Challenging the ticket by mail
• A hearing in traffic court
• Plea bargain for a reduced infraction
• Using a traffic ticket lawyer to fight the traffic infraction

The least expensive way to challenge a ticket usually involves a trial by written declaration. This happens when fighting traffic tickets by mail. You can send your statement about why you did not violate the traffic law and include any supporting evidence. The traffic court judge decides based on the information you mail.

Going to traffic court in person may require taking a day off from work or school. The traffic court handles many traffic cases in a day. You may have to wait around for 4 hours or more before the court calls your case. Even if your traffic case only takes minutes, you may need to take a whole day for your court date.

You generally have to go to court in person for a plea bargain. With a plea bargain, you ask the court to reduce the penalties in exchange for pleading guilty. They can reduce a traffic ticket to a non-moving violation or offer traffic school. However, like a traffic hearing, you may have to plan for most of the day waiting for your court appearance.

Using a traffic ticket attorney generally won’t require appearing in person. A lawyer can appear on your behalf, so you don’t have to take time off work or miss an appointment. However, you must pay the legal costs of hiring an attorney.

Financial Implications of Fighting a Ticket

The primary financial implications of fighting a ticket are time and money. If you handle your own traffic case, you will need time to fight the ticket. If you must take time from work, school, or other responsibilities, the time can add up. For example, taking time off for missing a work day could cost you $300 or more.

Fighting a ticket requires time for the following:

• Researching the vehicle code
• Gathering evidence to support your defense
• Preparing for your traffic court hearing
• Spending part of the day waiting for your case
• Presenting your case in traffic court
• Appealing if the court denies your claim

The additional expenses for the ticket are generally not very high if you are handling your own case. If you hire a defense attorney, you must pay the legal expenses for legal representation. The costs of hiring a lawyer can depend on several factors, including:

• Local area
• The seriousness of the traffic law violation
• Difficulties of the case
• Any appeals or additional hearings
• Fee basis (flat fee or hourly rate)

For example, an attorney generally charges less for a minor traffic citation, like expired registration. Other traffic violations involve misdemeanor criminal penalties, like a DUI or reckless driving. Criminal defense cases generally cost more to defend, and much more is at stake.

Weighing Potential Savings and Expenses

To decide whether or not it is worth fighting a traffic ticket, consider the potential costs, savings, and expenses. A guilty plea and paying the ticket takes the least time, but could involve additional costs. Not fighting the traffic ticket could cost:

• Higher auto insurance premiums
• Fines and court fees
• Driver’s license suspension or revocation

Most drivers don’t have to worry about higher car insurance costs for non-moving violations, like a parking ticket. However, moving violations put points on your record. The car insurance companies will generally raise your insurance rates based on your driving record. How many points you get for a violation depends on your local jurisdiction.

If you get too many points, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could suspend your license. You will have to get around without your vehicle until you can reinstate your driving privileges. You will also have to pay for the reinstatement of your driver’s license.

Legal Advice and Cost Management

Before you decide whether to fight a ticket or plead guilty, understand the costs of hiring a lawyer. A traffic lawyer may charge less than the long-term costs of higher car insurance for the next few years. Contact an attorney and ask what they charge for a case like yours. They may offer a flat fee or a range of costs for your case.

An attorney can also negotiate with the traffic court judge or prosecutor to reduce the traffic offense. This could reduce a misdemeanor traffic violation to a minor traffic infraction. Contact a local traffic violation lawyer to help you decide whether to contest your traffic ticket.