How to Fight A Traffic Ticket in Seattle?
Driving on the road is part of your daily lifestyle. However, there may be times that you encounter a traffic ticket in Seattle. As a driver, there is a possibility to be charged with various types of traffic tickets such as DUI, speeding, expired license, and red light violation. It can give you headaches and can be disturbing. Furthermore, it can also cost time and money in the future. With this, you must take action.
Before we proceed on how to fight a traffic ticket, let us first know the types of traffic tickets that you may experience while driving on the road.
Types of Traffic Ticket
DUI
DUI or Driving Under the Influence is among the common type of traffic tickets. It is considered a felony charge, which is quite serious. The fees for this traffic ticket is about $5,000. Moreover, these costs still don’t cover rehabilitation programs, court fees, ignition interlock device installation, and reinstating a suspended license.
Reckless Driving
This violation may risk your driver’s license. Therefore, you must take action to save your license as a driver.
Speeding Tickets
Are you currently facing speeding tickets? There is something you can do about it by fighting this traffic ticker violation.
Red Light Violation
Red light violation is another type of traffic ticket. It can lead to fines and other hassles. With that, you must do something to prevent unwanted fees.
Expired License
Driving with an expired license is also a serious traffic ticket in Seattle, WA. If you want to avoid further troubles, think of a solution to save your driver’s license.
Auto Accidents
Are you involved in an auto accident? Are you hurt or someone is hurt due to an accident? This traffic ticket may also cost your time and money. So, make sure to consult help from a professional.
Now that you have learned about the different types of traffic tickets in Seattle, WA, you must also know how to deal with it.
Can you Fight a Traffic Ticket?
Are you curious if you can fight a traffic ticket? Yes, you can with the help of a professional lawyer. Your lawyer can provide you with legal advice about your traffic ticket. They can offer you the best representation in reducing or even eliminating the consequences of your traffic ticket.
The following are steps on how to fight a traffic ticket.
- Be respectful
Be respectful and cooperative. With this, the officer can write your ticket at a lower cost offence. By being friendly and relaxed, you don’t need to fight at all. You may not know it, but your good behavior can make a huge difference.
- Be organized
You must be organized and prepare everything before presenting your case to your lawyer. You can collect important details like:
- Time and date when the ticket happened
- Your registration and insurance
- The weather condition as you receive the traffic ticket
- The copy of your ticket
- The demeanor of the officer
- The clothes you wear
- Hire a lawyer
Hiring a lawyer to fight your traffic ticket is a good decision. They can assist you in winning your case and avoid the consequences of your violation.
- Have a plan
Before you go to court, you must have a defense plan.
- Go to court with a professional look
Wearing the right clothes as you go to court can also give a good impression about you.
- Do what the court says
You must follow the judgment whether you win or lose in your case.
Is it Worth it to Fight a Ticket?
Yes, fighting a traffic ticket with the help of a professional lawyer is worth it. It is a fact that receiving a traffic ticket comes with lots of consequences, which is quite stressful. It can cost time and money. Fortunately, fighting with the assistance of your dedicated lawyer can avoid these possible problems. Even more important, you can also keep your good name when it comes to your traffic records. You can also save your driver’s license from suspension.
What to Expect Fighting a Traffic Ticket
If you decide to fight a traffic ticket, you can expect the following:
- Traffic court is not like a criminal court
Although some minor traffic tickets are considered crimes in some places, they are not handled like in criminal court. It is a less formal court compared to other courtrooms.
- Traffic trial
Trials can be scheduled. The clerk will call each case, the officer, and the driver. If you are present on trial, and the officer is not present, you can win the trial.
The judge indicates when you’re going to speak. Then, you can present your facts and other evidence.
- Important considerations
As you go on the trial for your traffic ticket case, make sure to dress formally and no hats. You must also use “your honor” to address the judge.
Problems with Traffic Cameras
Red light cameras are sometimes not safe on the streets. Problems with traffic cameras usually target the drivers who run red lights. On the other hand, it doesn’t totally help in reducing vehicle accidents.
How to Win Without Appearing in Court
Traffic tickets are sometimes stressful. It can cost time and money. With this, you must take action and fight for your traffic ticket. You can win without appearing in court, with the help of your attorney. You can do this through a Trial by Written Declaration request letter for the court.
You can write what occurred on the ticket scene. You can also present photos or diagrams of the incident location. You can also get evidence like witness accounts. As you pass your form to the court on time, you can receive a mail from the court about the decision of the judge within 90 days.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Law Firm
Hiring a professional law firm for your traffic ticket case is important. Thus, it will help you to win your case and cancel the consequences of your traffic ticket. These consequences include the following:
- Fines
Your traffic violation comes with fines, fees, and penalties that can impact your finances. By hiring a professional law firm, you can reduce or remove fines due to your traffic ticket.
- Driving record and traffic ticket point system
The traffic ticket point system can track reckless drivers. It can lead to license suspension. So, as much as possible, you must hire a lawyer to save your driver’s license. Additionally, you can also keep your driving record clean.
- Community service or jail time
Some traffic offenses like reckless driving, DUI, and other traffic tickets can lead to jail time or community service. For sure, you don’t want to go to jail. With this, you must seek help from a professional law firm to solve your traffic ticket case.
- License suspension
Your driver’s license is very important. So, if you don’t want to suffer from license suspension, it is a wise idea to get your lawyer.
Hiring a professional law firm in Seattle is beneficial because they have the best knowledge and training to help you win your case. With their legal advice, you can keep your good driving record and avoid possible problems. They use a holistic approach to ensure that you can get the best representation that will help you to maintain your good name as a driver.
With their wide experience in the legal industry, you have the assurance that you are in the right hands when it comes to your traffic ticket defense needs. They can help you show the evidence and prove that you are innocent of their traffic charge. With them on your side, it saves you time and money and enables you to continue driving on the road.
Conclusion
To sum it up, getting a traffic ticket can give you headaches. It can cost time and money. It can also put your driver’s license into risk. With that, you must prefer fighting a traffic ticket. However, fighting a traffic ticket is not a do it yourself operation. You must have an excellent lawyer that can best represent you. They have extensive skills and knowledge to help you win your case.
Fighting your traffic ticket is not advisable, so you must choose a reliable law firm in Seattle that will give you the best legal advice to prevent fines, jail, and other consequences of your traffic violations. You have the right to fight for your driving record and driver’s license. With that, decide to fight for your right. However, make sure to stay respectful and professional when handling your case. Thus, good behavior can provide you the best results. Meanwhile, there are lots of law firms in the market. You need to choose the right one that can help you with your traffic ticket charge. With their assistance, you can win against your traffic ticket. What are you waiting for? Hire your lawyer today!
