Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call the office before submitting my ticket online?
No. There is no need to call before you begin the process. So long as you are submitting only one speeding ticket, you may complete the process now.
The online system will ask you basic questions about your ticket, take your credit payment, and issue an email receipt that includes further instructions.
How much will this cost?
The total cost of your case will be the legal fee plus any fine and surcharge imposed by the court for the reduced charge.
Legal fees vary based on the severity of the charge and the court where the ticket is pending. The online system will compute the legal fee for your ticket. This flat legal fee covers everything up to a trial, including dealing with the courts, and negotiating with the prosecution. The vast majority of cases are resolved through negotiations.
The legal fee charged here does not cover the cost of a trial. Traffic trials are rare. The flat legal fee that you paid here is the only legal fee paid by the vast majority of our clients.
Most cases conclude with the driver pleading guilty to a reduced charge. The court will then determine a fine. Some courts require payment in court and others will allow you some time to pay. We will let you know what your case will require.
Will there be a trial?
No, unless you choose to go to trial.
Nearly all of our cases are settled by negotiating a reduction of the original charge to a lower offense with the prosecutor. Traffic trials are difficult to win, will require your appearance, and are more expensive than the plea bargaining process. Occasionally, the prosecutor will not offer a reduction, and in that case, a trial may be appropriate.
If your case results in no offer, your attorney will be in touch with you to discuss your options.
What are common court fines?
Do I have to appear in court?
Whenever possible, we will appear on your behalf and handle the case without you. However, some courts may require your appearance, if so we will inform you promptly.
What will the outcome of my case be?
In every case, we seek the most favorable outcome possible. Your case will likely end with a reduction of the original charge and a fine for that reduced charge.
We understand that most drivers want their ticket dismissed or reduced to no-points. As your lawyers, we want the same thing and have achieved those results in numerous cases. However, we are unable to guarantee or promise a particular result in your case.
The precise outcome of your case will depend on numerous factors related to you, the prosecutor, and the judge. Factors related to you include the specific charge and surrounding circumstances, your driving record, and the equities involved in your case. Each prosecutor may have differing policies about offers. A prosecutor has no obligation to offer any reduction and may choose to force you to plead guilty to the original charge or have a trial. Our job is to convince the prosecutor to offer the best reduction possible.
Once we have a deal with the prosecutor, the judge must approve that deal. Judges sometimes reject the negotiated plea bargains. If a judge does reject the deal in your case, we will work to find a deal that all parties will accept.
What if there is no reduction in my case?
Occasionally, a prosecutor will not make an offer in a case. This may happen, for example, if the there was a particularly high speed offense charged or if the driver has a poor driving history. If your case results in no offer for a reduction, your lawyer will review your options with you.
How long will the case take?
The average traffic case will be concluded in one court appearance.