Here are some tips about what you should do if you get a traffic ticket:
- MAKE SURE YOU DO SOMETHING! Don’t ever just ignore a traffic ticket. It can lead to further costs, court appearances, fines, warrants for arrest, and even time in jail.
- THINK BEFORE YOU DECIDED TO JUST PAY THE TICKET. Just paying will almost always cause your insurance to go up, and stay up, for a period of three years. And you will be out the money for the fine.
- CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. Often an attorney can have a ticket dismissed, suspended, or plead your ticket down to a lesser infraction that will not cause any “points” to be assessed to your driving record.
- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. An attorney can review your ticket in particular, and give you and idea of what can be done, and how much it will cost. In our experience, it usually costs less to hire an attorney, than it does to simply pay a ticket and have your car insurance costs go up.
What happens if I simply pay the speeding ticket, without consulting an attorney?
- This ticket will likely appear on your driving record.
- You will likely get points added to your license. Too many points could cause your license to be suspended, or other problems.
- Your insurance company will likely raise your car insurance rates a significant amount, usually for a period for THREE (3) years.
What are the possible benefits of hiring an attorney?
- We may be able to keep your ticket, and/or the points associated with the ticket, off of your record.
- Your insurance costs may stay the same.
- If you can’t make it to court, because you are employed, from out of town, or other reasons, we can handle it for you.
The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC
1334 E. Kingsley, Suite C
Springfield, MO 65804
Ph: (417) 882-5858
Fax: (417) 882-5951
