Do I need a Lawyer for a speeding ticket?

A common question posed to me is if a person needs a lawyer when dealing with a speeding ticket. The honest answer is “it depends.”In most cases, consequences of a speeding ticket include: paying a hefty fine, added points to your license, and an increased car insurance premium. 

While you are not required to attend court in most cases, there are some circumstances where hiring a lawyer could be beneficial. Below I will detail a few scenarios in which having an attorney is in your best interest  

YOU DRIVE FOR A LIVING

Do you rideshare? Are you a commercial truck driver? Is driving a major component of your job duties? If so, a speeding ticket can have huge implications on your ability to make ends meet. Accumulated points on your Driver’s License can impact your ability to drive commercially. Additionally, even if your employer allows you to drive with a bad driving history, the State of Georgia can still revoke your privilege to drive commercial vehicles based on their point system. Uber and Lyft have their own policies on their drivers and how points will impact your ability to remain working. A lawyer can negotiate a resolution in your case that will save you points on your license and which could drastically impact your employment. 

YOU HAVE A BAD DRIVING HISTORY

Have you racked up several driving tickets in recent years? Besides ballooning insurances cost that come with pleading guilty to traffic violations, developing a bad driving history may affect the severity of your sentence on your new case. While in most cases, people treat tickets like a minor, albeit expensive inconvenience, a speeding violation is a misdemeanor that can result in penalties that include: high fines, community services, mandatory defensive driving courses, and even jail time. Having an attorney that is knowledgeable of the law can make a world of difference in how your cases are disposed. Individually, you may face paying a costly fine and probation, but the experienced lawyers at The Law Offices of George U. Aigbe, can resolve your case with lower fines, all while helping you to avoid adding new points to your driving history. 

YOU ARE A YOUNG DRIVER

Are you under the age of 21? Young drivers are treated differently under Georgia law. A speeding ticket can result in the suspension of your privilege to drive for drivers under the age of 21. Even going a few miles above the speed limit can result in citations that may lead to a suspended driving license. It is important to consult with a Lawyer before making a decision on how to handle a speeding ticket, because the consequences are great for young drivers. A good lawyer has the ability to undo a plea that created an unintended license suspension. If, after paying a ticket, you became aware that the ticket resulted in the suspension of your license, immediately contact The Law Offices of George U. Aigbe as there may still be other available options. 

YOU HAVE AN OUT OF STATE LICENSE 

Have you received a speeding ticket from another State? Speed enforcement laws vary from State to State and what might be a simple fine in one State might have greater consequences in another. For example, going over 85 miles per hour in Georgia as an in-state driver will result in a super speeder additional fine. However, speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour for a North Carolina licensed driver will result in a license suspension. It may be beneficial to enlist a knowledgeable local Attorney to handle your case in another State. Besides having a lawyer on board to help resolve your case in a favorable fashion, you can also avoid having to possibly return to that State just to handle a ticket. 

To some of the population speeding tickets are just an unexpected fine for fast driving, but for others speeding tickets can carry greater consequences. License suspension, probation, and jail time are all real outcomes that deserve at least a consultation with a legal professional.  Although, this advice is not all-encompassing and does not address situations like a person who wishes to challenge a false speeding accusation, those cases also deserve a lawyer. If you feel strongly enough about a case do not hesitate to enlist a lawyer that can assist you.

“Advocacy the right way, The Law Offices of George U. Aigbe”