Those of us who have been on the receiving end of a traffic ticket know how stressful it can be to try and navigate it on our own.
The team of MO traffic ticket lawyers at Missouri Traffic Tickets understands the overwhelming feeling, and we have made it our sole purpose to help drivers across Missouri navigate traffic tickets with ease.
Hiring a traffic violations lawyer makes the entire process a lot simpler. This article will serve as a guide as to how to hire a lawyer and why it’s one of the smartest things you can do.
Consequences of Traffic Ticket?
Keep reading to see how working with our team at Missouri Traffic Tickets will not only save you large amounts of time and money, but it’s likely you could walk away from the situation with a driving record that’s squeaky clean.
When we represent you in court, you should see results such as:
- Reducing your citation to a non-moving violation
- Lowering your fine
- Dismissing your ticket
- Avoiding jail time
- Cleaning up your driving record
Importance of Traffic Ticket Lawyers
You might be tempted to just pay the ticket and “be done with it,” but there are likely lasting repercussions you might not be aware of. Your driving record, future employment opportunities, and insurance rates are all at risk when you get ticketed for a traffic violation. A skilled lawyer is aware of this and capable of helping you navigate the process and protect your future.
Traffic tickets are unique because they carry both criminal and administrative consequences with the Missouri Department of Revenue which controls your driving privileges in Missouri. This is why it’s crucial to have an attorney in your corner.
Hiring a reliable traffic violations lawyer in St. Joseph is about more than just understanding local traffic laws and having someone to represent you in court. Having a lawyer dramatically increases your chances of successfully contesting charges such as careless driving, a DUI/DWI, speeding tickets, failure to stop, or other driving infractions. We don’t take on any cases except traffic violations, so you can rest easy knowing all our expertise is laser-focused on your needs.
Implications of Paying off A Speeding Ticket
There are bigger things at stake than just the one-time fee associated with a traffic ticket. You should always consult with a lawyer before going through with the payment to see how else you are going to be impacted.
Everyone’s driving records are different, and so are their needs, but what does not change is that paying the ticket means you are pleading guilty. If you plead guilty, there are civil, criminal, and administrative actions that can take place that you would rather not happen.
If there was a car accident that resulted in an injury, it is especially crucial that you speak with a traffic violations attorney before taking any steps.
The two most common areas that see negative results from a moving violation are your insurance rates and your Missouri Driving Record. Your insurance rates typically increase and you get some points on your record with nearly every moving violation, but some tickets carry more serious risks such as jail time and high fines. Our sole purpose is to do everything in our power to make sure those risks don’t impact to you.
A speeding ticket will almost always increase insurance premiums. One ticket will, on average, increase rates by 20%, and that’s if you have a clean record with no other major violations. This should be enough to make consulting with a traffic attorney one of your top priorities.
Missouri drivers often wonder if they will lose their license after getting a ticket. We’re here to reassure you that you can’t lose your license after just one speeding ticket, but once you’ve accumulated many, there is cause for worry. Missouri drivers can accumulate negative points on their records by getting multiple tickets. If you get too many points within a certain timeframe, you could receive a suspension notice from the Missouri Department of Revenue. This is why we don’t recommend “just paying” the ticket.
Some offenses will result in an immediate suspension or total revoking of driving privileges, but these are significant infractions such as leaving the scene of an accident or driving while suspended. They’re not things you can do on accident.
At Missouri Traffic Tickets, we’ve dealt with a broad range of traffic tickets and driving records, which has prepared us to handle any case that comes our way. No matter how many traffic tickets you’ve gotten, it’s worth consulting with us about what can be done to maintain your driving privileges.
We know how important it is to have a valid driver’s license, especially if you drive for a living or have a commute to work. That’s why we’ve worked long and hard in Missouri and kept thousands of points off our clients’ driving records. The short-term effect of a bad driving record might only be some money lost, but letting it go long-term could mean unsustainable fines and the eventual loss of your job.
What happens when you get a speeding ticket or another traffic ticket in Lee's Summit?
If you do receive a St. Joseph traffic ticket, the first thing that happens is, that ticket is sent to the St. Joseph Prosocuter. The ticket is then filed with the court and a court date is set. That date is often listed on the ticket, but not always. You might have to go to Missouri CaseNet to find it.
Some tickets offer the “plea and pay” option, which means you won’t have to appear in court. You can instead to choose to pay the ticket online by entering a “guilty” plea. Otherwise, either you or an appointed attorney will have to appear in court on the assigned date. If you do plea “guilty,” the plea is entered on the ticket, which is then sent off to the Missouri Department of Revenue, and the associated points are placed on your driving record.
Impact on Insurance Rates!
Insurance companies use your driving record to consider the risk associated with insuring you. Every time you enter a guilty plea on a ticket, your risk goes up in the company’s eyes and your rates increase. Even if you’ve maintained a clean driving record for a long time, the company will use any ticket as a reason to charge you more. 
Getting a DUI or a DWI on your record is a serious problem that will not only raise your rates but also bring criminal penalties down on your head. The penalties can lead to suspensions (or worse!) which is something that’s hard to manage, especially if you drive every day for work or school.
As a reminder, you can get enough speeding tickets to result in a suspension, but they also come from refusing a breathalyzer test during an investigation. If you refused a breath test, it is vital you get in touch will a skilled attorney as soon as possible.
Depending on your driving record, you may be required to maintain SR-22 insurance which can be very costly. On average, the range is anywhere from $65 to $130 per month.
FAQs
1. What does a traffic lawyer in St. Joseph do?
A traffic lawyer helps protect drivers’ rights and fight the consequences of traffic violations that happened in St. Joseph, Missouri.ds.
2. How can a St. Joseph Traffic Lawyer assist with speeding tickets?
A St. Joseph traffic lawyer helps to prevent driving privileges from being lost and insurance rates from increasing due to points on your license.
3. Can you help me defend myself if charged with a DUI or DWI offense?
Yes! We’re perfectly capable and ready to help defend you against a Missouri DWI charge. We can challenge the breathalyzer results, represent you during your hearings, and negotiate terms with the prosecutor. We have successfully defended many DWI charges across Missouri.
4. Does hiring an attorney drive up my overall fees when looking into fighting a ticket instead of paying it off?
There are costs associated with hiring an attorney, but keep in mind that paying the ticket doesn’t always resolve the issue. In fact, in most cases, you will spend more over time by paying the ticket than you will by hiring an attorney.
5. In which specific areas around the wider region can you help?
Our lawyers have license to practice in all of Missouri.
6. Where is the St. Joseph Municipal Court located?
St. Joseph Municipal Court, 411 Jules St b10, St Joseph, MO 64501
7. Where is the Buchanan County Courthouse located?
The Buchanan County Courthouse is in the same location as the St. Joseph Municipal Court: 411 Jules St b10, St Joseph, MO 64501
Need Help With a Traffic Ticket?
Our entire team at Missouri Traffic Tickets has an impressive track record that’s filled with successful cases of reduced and dismissed traffic violations. In America, you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty, which means you shouldn’t take any chances. Contact us even if you think you’ve committed an offense so we can prepare a defense if there’s a need.
To get started representing you in court, we will need some basic information that will help us give you the best chance of walking away with little to no inconvenience to yourself.
- Your name
- Email address
- Ticket information
- Driving record
- Driving License number
Once we have this information and the specifics of your case, we’ll need some time to put it all together. If we find that we’re able to help, we will reach out about payment options and the necessary paperwork. Once that’s handled, all you will have to do is get us the required documents, pay the appropriate court costs, and potentially appear in court.
We always do our best to prevent criminal records and convictions, but if a guilty plea does turn out to be unavoidable, we will do everything in our power to reduce the consequences of the ticket.
Let us do all the hard work for you. Call today to get started with a free consultation!
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact our Joplin, Missouri, law office to discuss your situation and get a free consultation.
