A speeding ticket lawyer can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars and may cause your insurance rates to skyrocket. In New York, the penalties for speeding vary by jurisdiction. The severity of the offense also depends on if an accident was involved with property damage, injuries or death.
Speeding is usually classified as traveling at a rate that is unsafe for current road and traffic conditions. This is why it is important to obey speed limits and drive cautiously in winter weather.
Points on your license
The penalties for speeding can vary by state, but many have a point system that places points on your license after you are caught. For example, in Nevada, you get one point for driving up to 10 mph over the limit and two points for going 11 to 20 mph over the limit. If you accumulate too many points, your driver’s license may be suspended.
In New York, if you have 6 or more points on your record within an 18 month period, the DMV will assess you a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee that is spread out over a three year period. You can lower your points by taking a defensive driving course, but this won’t remove the mandatory surcharges and fees from your record.
You can also contest the ticket in court to avoid higher insurance rates. The judge might reduce the fine, give you more time to pay it, or offer the opportunity to take a defensive driving course.
Increased insurance rates
Getting a speeding ticket can cost you big money. Insurance rates typically increase by about 25% after a conviction. However, there are several factors that determine your car insurance rate, including how fast you were going and whether or not it was your first ticket.
It is important to hire a traffic lawyer in Queens or NYS who will fight your ticket to avoid increased insurance rates. Oftentimes, they can get the ticket reduced or dismissed. They can also help you keep points off your record and avoid expensive fines.
Another way to lower your rate is by taking a driving course in your state. This may help shave points off your record and prevent an insurance increase. Lastly, you can try to reduce your risk by obeying the speed limit, driving defensively, and avoiding other violations like running red lights or hitting pedestrians. Taking the bus or using ride-hailing services can also lower your rate and save you gas money.
Court appearances
A speeding ticket will most likely require you to attend a court appearance. If you decide to fight the ticket, you will want to hire an attorney because they can often have the charges reduced or even dropped depending on your driving record and how serious the incident was.
When you appear in court, the prosecutor will explain how they believe the speeding violation occurred. They may also use radar evidence to support their claim. The officer will also testify about the speeding offense. The judge will then call your name to be sworn in. You can then present witnesses and submit any other evidence you have to back up your case.
If you choose to plead guilty, you will be fined. However, if you decide to fight the ticket, the court will schedule a pre-trial conference. This is the stage when the judge will assess whether or not to drop the charge if you can prove there were extenuating circumstances that prevented you from obeying the law.
License suspension
A license suspension can make it hard to get around, and can affect your daily life. If you have too many points on your record, the New York DMV may suspend or revoke your license.
You will need to contact the court on your ticket and ask for a hearing to contest the violation. If you choose to take your case to court, you will need solid grounds to dispute the ticket, such as unclear road signs or a factual basis that you weren’t speeding.
In addition to the court fine, you will also be required to pay a state surcharge and Driver Responsibility Assessment. However, in most cases you can avoid a license suspension by entering into a payment plan with the court. These fees are often folded into the total payment plan amount, so you will not have to pay them separately. In addition, completing a traffic safety course can prevent your points from counting towards a license suspension.
