When you get a traffic ticket, you may be tempted to simply pay the fine and move on with your life. If you are interested in challenging it, you may show up in traffic court, but that doesn’t mean you’ll change a thing. Even if you do, it’s possible that a knowledgeable traffic ticket lawyer, having much more experience with these things, could’ve gotten it dismissed entirely. Many people don’t consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney, but there are very valid reasons for doing just that.

Some of the main benefits your traffic lawyer can bring to your case are listed below:

1. Reduce the Charge or Have It Dismissed

The main goal—whenever possible—is to get your charge reduced or dismissed. For example, it may be possible to reduce a reckless driving charge into something like speeding, which could mean fewer points on your license. If successful, this can even alleviates a number of the issues listed below.

2. Avoid Points and Suspensions

Accruing points on your license can lead to a license suspension. Even if this is your first offense, you never know when you’ll get another ticket, leaving you wishing you had worked harder to overturn the first one. If you accrue enough points, you may lose your license.

3. Handle Court Appearances

Going to traffic court is inconvenient. You may miss work or other important events. Not only can your lawyer take care of this tedious step, but this also prevents you from having to deal with unfamiliar courtroom procedures.

Some people’s experience with going to traffic court is not always how they envision it. Sometimes they report that even though they felt prepared, the officer who wrote the ticket misrepresented what happened and that the judge was not listening to them as a layperson.

4. Avoid Higher Insurance Premiums

You could face the following negative consequences if you don’t get your ticket reduced or dismissed:

• Increased Rates – If you appear to be a high-risk driver, you may cost an insurer more money, so they increase your rates.
• Less Cost Reduction over Time – Insurance rates can drop over time as you become a more experienced driver. Your traffic infractions can cancel out the perceived benefit of being more mature and experienced.
• Loss of Standard Coverage – Get enough points on your license or enough violations, and you may be considered too high risk to cover.

5. Avoid Surcharges

Another expense that you might not be expecting is a surcharge. In California, all traffic tickets receive an additional 20 percent surcharge. So if you’re thinking about just paying the ticket, you won’t just be paying the fine, but also the additional surcharge on top of it.

If your traffic ticket lawyer can get you out of paying your ticket, you also won’t have to pay a surcharge.

Consult a Sacramento Traffic Violation Lawyer

Even if a ticket seems small, don’t take it lying down. Handling it correctly can save you from headaches down the line and money in the long term. Crowell Law Offices have been helping people like you through challenging situations for over fifteen years. We know how to challenge a traffic ticket and have the satisfied clients to prove it. You can call and speak with us for a free consultation with no commitments by calling 916-303-2800 or reaching us through the contact form on this page.