The fact is that most people are going to get a traffic ticket at some point in their lives, regardless of whether they deserve it or not. But when is it worth challenging the ticket in court? For example, if you believe you’re innocent but it will cost you way more money to fight it in a Virginia court, is it really worth it? Read on to learn more about this issue and your options available to you.
What laws did you break? Do you know?
Fighting a traffic ticket isn’t just about telling your side of the story. The reason why you need an attorney is that traffic tickets will have one or a list of laws that you have broken, and you need to prove why the officer was wrong in accusing you of these violations.
Never pay your ticket right away
When you receive a ticket, an officer will ask you to sign it. The officer will tell you prior to your signature that it is not an admission of guilt but simply a declaration that he or she presented you with the document. What is an admission of guilt is paying your ticket before going into court. This will not look good in front of a judge and will often lead to a decision finding you guilty of the alleged violation.
Defenses to use before and during court
It may seem like you have no chance of winning your cases, especially when a police officer is demonstrating their evidence against you. However, you would be surprised at just how many ways you can win your cases with little to no effort. Some of the defense strategies you can use include:
- Fighting radar gun tickets due to lack of recalibration
- Maintaining your right to a speedy trial
- Looking for ticket errors, such as incorrect addresses
The alternative
If you and your attorney believe that you won’t have a chance at winning your case, you may want to begin thinking about the alternatives. One of those alternatives includes choosing to go to traffic school. The judge is likely to accept your proposal, and thus the dismissal of your fees and fines may occur as long as you complete the course.
Traffic tickets are, no doubt, a frustrating thing to have to deal with. That is why it is so important to consult with an attorney as soon as you get your ticket. They may be able to provide you with avenues that could expedite the process.
