If you get a traffic violation, you may think of it as a minor offense. Some people do not realize that even seemingly minor traffic offenses can hurt them in the future. This is why it is usually a good idea to try to get charges dismissed or reduced, especially if you are a careful driver. You never know when a future driving offense may occur, which can trigger the courts to review prior offenses. Perhaps you are facing a traffic offense and you may wonder whether it is better to pay the ticket and be done with the situation if you have that option. The following will help you to understand some options people with traffic violations have and why choosing from these options may be a bad idea:
Pay Ticket
If you pay your ticket before your court date, you do not have to show up in court in some jurisdictions. However, paying for a ticket such as speeding means that there will still likely be a record of the incident. This also means that future alleged speeding incidents might result in harsher consequences. Examples of harsher consequences are higher fines and possible loss of license. When you pay a ticket without going to court, the judge does not get to hear your side. Paying the ticket might be presumed as admitting to the violation.
Guilty Plea
Sometimes prosecutors offer plea deals to individuals who have pending traffic violations that require court appearances. For example, you might be required to be present in court for an alleged DUI charge. To save court time and prosecutorial duties, they might make an offer to you that seems attractive. However, it is important to realize that any admissions of guilt will be documented. These could even end up on your permanent record and cause future problems for you. A traffic attorney could challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution and possibly negotiate a better deal than the original offer.
Nolo Plea
This is a type of plea that basically means that you are not admitting to violating the law, but you are also not saying that you are innocent. Some jurisdictions may use nolo pleas as part of the penalty phase if any future charges arise that are similar in nature. For example, a nolo plea in a DUI might result in a judge viewing it as likely you were driving under the influence, and therefore impose second DUI penalties if you are found guilty or try to negotiate a plea on new DUI charges in the future.
Contact a lawyer like Kevin T Conway Esq Pc for more information and assistance.
Share6 July 2017
The court system can seem frightening and confusing if you're not used to using it. Whether you've been accused of a crime and you're trying to navigate the criminal court system, or you're being sued or considering suing someone else in civil court, you need an advocate who knows their way around. That's why finding the right lawyer for the job is so important. In this blog, I'll be helping you learn how to choose the right lawyer for the job and sharing information about legal strategies and courtroom procedures that you may come across when you have a legal problem. You need accurate information to help you understand the court system, and this blog can help.