A traffic ticket can result in hefty fines, points on your license, and possibly higher auto insurance premiums. Thankfully, there is another way: an attorney can challenge the ticket on your behalf and get it dismissed entirely.
A criminal defense attorney has a wide range of skills and tools that they can use to fight traffic violations and other types of crimes. For example, they can challenge the officer’s testimony and the evidence presented against their client. They can also fight to suppress any improperly obtained evidence. This can be particularly important in criminal cases like domestic violence, child abuse, and sex crime accusations that are made without physical evidence.
In fact, the US Supreme Court ruled that in order for an officer to stop and search an individual they must have probable cause. When a prosecuting officer cannot meet the burden of proof of probable cause, they must dismiss the case.
This is why it is crucial to have a criminal defense attorney who understands the law and knows how to defend these types of accusations.
In the above-mentioned case of Delores Nicol, a criminal traffic lawyer could have fought to avoid conviction and hefty fines by challenging how the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, the police must be able to identify the driver who committed the speeding violation. If they were unable to do so, the speeding charge would have been dropped.
Another common strategy that criminal defense attorneys employ is to challenge the calibration and accuracy of radar and laser speeding instruments. They can also fight to ensure that an officer has valid training and certification to operate these devices. Lastly, they can also challenge the officer’s testimony about the instrument readings by asking the officer to provide their written notes that were taken at the time of the vehicle stop.
A skilled criminal defense attorney will do everything possible to make sure their client gets the best outcome in their case. This can include negotiating with the prosecutor and getting the speeding ticket dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation that will not affect your driving record or raise your insurance rates.
When you hire a criminal defense attorney, they will be able to look at the facts of your case and provide you with an accurate estimate of how long it is expected to take for your case to be resolved. This is based on the complexity of your case, the court’s backlog, and other factors. Having an attorney can help you get your life back on track as quickly as possible. The cost of hiring an attorney can be offset by legal plans through employers or unions. Additionally, many criminal defense attorneys offer a flat rate for their services that makes it affordable to anyone. You will also find that a criminal defense attorney is a far more effective negotiator than the average person, which can save you money in the long run.
