How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Ohio

Many Ohio moving violations are minor misdemeanors, or in other words infractions punishable only by a fine. But some are criminal offenses that can result in jail time and other consequences. Even a ticket that’s only punishable with a fine can have many unexpected costs. Need to better understand how to fight a speeding ticket in Ohio?

On the surface, a traffic ticket can seem like an annoyance. In many instances, you may just want to pay the fine, take a couple of points on your Ohio driver’s license, and move on. Even if you weren’t speeding or otherwise committing a violation, you may think it’s not worth the cost to contest your ticket. However, when you get a ticket for a moving violation in Ohio you may actually experience far-reaching consequences that you never thought of at the time you were pulled over.

Why Fighting an Ohio Traffic Ticket is Worthwhile

There are many ways that a traffic ticket can affect your life, even when it’s a minor misdemeanor. The possible consequences you may experience when you get a traffic ticket include:

• Court fines — Most moving violations carry some kind of fine, ranging from $150 for a minor misdemeanor to hundreds of dollars for a misdemeanor traffic offense. If your traffic offense is one that can be charged as a felony, you could pay thousands of dollars in fines.
• Driver’s license points — Many Ohio traffic violations result in mandatory points added to your driver’s license. If you acquire 12 points, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is required to suspend your license.
• Increased car insurance premiums — How much you pay for car insurance is based in large part on a formula designed to calculate how much risk you are to insure. The higher the risk that you’ll get into an accident and that your insurance company will have to pay a claim, the more you pay for insurance. When you have a moving violation or a criminal traffic offense on your driving record, your insurance company likely will see you as a greater risk to insure, and you may end up paying more to maintain required insurance on your vehicle.
• Driver’s License suspension — Some moving violations or criminal traffic offenses in Ohio come with a mandatory driver’s license suspension. With others, the addition of points on your driver’s license if you plead guilty or are convicted may put you over the threshold that requires a suspension.
• Loss of your job — If you do any kind of driving for your job, even in your own personal vehicle, a moving violation or criminal traffic conviction may cause your employer to view you as too high a risk. You could end up losing your job or having a hard time finding employment after you plead guilty or are convicted of an Ohio traffic offense.
• CDL disqualification — If you have a commercial driver’s license, your CDL can be disqualified for moving violations under some circumstances, such as getting multiple speeding tickets for speeds over 15 mph.
• Civil liability — If you got your ticket because you were involved in an accident, a guilty plea or a conviction may be used as evidence of your negligence if other people involved in the accident sue you for compensation of injuries or property damage.
• Jail time — Some traffic offenses can be serious misdemeanor or even felonies. A conviction can result in a jail or prison sentence.
• Criminal record — If your traffic offense is a crime, a guilty plea or conviction results in a permanent criminal record.

When you get a ticket and you pay the fine, you’re pleading guilty to the traffic offense. Once you plead guilty, the violation goes onto your Ohio driving record and will show up if your insurance company or employer does a background check. However, you may have other choices. If there is evidence that you were pulled over without cause or issued a ticket unfairly, an experienced Ohio traffic defense lawyer can help you contest the ticket. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed or reduced to a less serious violation that will have less of an impact on your life.

If your traffic offense is a criminal misdemeanor or felony, you won’t have the option of simply paying a fine and putting the offense behind you. You’ll have to go to court and enter a plea to the traffic offense. If you plead guilty or are convicted, you’ll face criminal penalties. In this situation, a skilled traffic defense lawyer may be able to help you fight the charge and get it dismissed or your penalties reduced.

How a Cincinnati Traffic Defense Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been cited for a moving violation or charged with a criminal traffic offense in the Cincinnati area, you may have options for contesting the ticket or defending yourself against the charge. A skilled Cincinnati traffic defense lawyer can review the circumstances of your case and explain the options that are most likely to achieve your desired result. A good lawyer also can explain the court process and what to expect as you move forward with your case.

You may be questioning whether it’s worth the expense of hiring a lawyer to fight your traffic ticket. There are at least a couple of reasons why it may be a good idea to talk to a lawyer.

• What you spend on a lawyer may actually save you money in the long run. If you’re convicted or plead guilty, your traffic violation may affect your wallet for years to come in the form of higher insurance premiums and an inability to get a good job because of your criminal or driving record.
• An experienced lawyer knows the system and the best ways to approach your ticket. You may be tempted to try to fight the ticket on your own, but a qualified Cincinnati traffic defense attorney will have a grasp of the nuances of the law and how the courts operate that can make a difference when it comes to negotiating with prosecutors or making an argument to a judge or jury.

We recommend at least consulting with a good Cincinnati traffic defense lawyer about your traffic ticket to find out how a lawyer may be able to help you.

Need to Know How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Ohio? It’s Possible! Call LHA Today.

Criminal charges can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. You are probably worried about your freedoms and privileges being at stake and have a lot of questions. You can rest assured, because Cincinnati traffic lawyer Brad Groene is here for you. Get the justice that you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at (513) 338-1890 or email us at advice@cincinnaticriminalattorney.com.