What is a Misdemeanor Traffic Ticket and how do you fight it

Everyone, including vehicle and truck drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, is protected by the regulations of the road. If a person breaks a traffic law, they may receive a traffic penalty.

The majority of traffic tickets are issued for minor moving violations known as "infractions". "Felonies" are driving extremely serious violations. Some traffic violations, on the other hand, fall into the middle category of misdemeanors. Misdemeanors can result in hefty penalties, incarceration, or the revocation of one's driver's license. Although misdemeanors vary by state, there are some general rules that apply to practically all of them.

But first of all, you should be aware of what a Misdemeanor Traffic Ticket is.

What Is A Misdemeanor Traffic Ticket?

Have you ever wondered if a traffic ticket is a misdemeanor? The answer is yes. Continue reading to know-how.

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense resulting in a year in prison and/or a fine. When a traffic crime causes injury to people or property, it is classed as a misdemeanor. If the offense does not cause injury but results in a “near-miss,” it is categorized as a misdemeanor. A person who has been charged with a misdemeanor traffic infraction has the opportunity to contest the charge.

A collision with another vehicle caused by a specific infringement is an example of a misdemeanor traffic crime. An intoxicated driving incident that results in the death of another person is an example of a felony traffic crime. Convictions for these infractions, often known as traffic violations, are treated the same as any other felony.

Jail time, fines, restitution (reimbursement) to a victim for property loss, and the suspension or revocation of one’s license are all possible penalties. Criminal traffic violations such as misdemeanor traffic violations are recorded on a person’s criminal record.

Misdemeanor tickets includes the following:

• Driving while intoxicated with alcohol.
• Driving while under the influence of prescribed medications is prohibited.
• Driving under the influence of drugs is considered illegal.
• The act of causing damage to another vehicle or harming a person and then fleeing before the authorities arrive is known as “hit and run.”
• Driving with your license is suspended, revoked, or you don’t have one at all.
• Driving a vehicle that has no title or registration.
• Driving without auto insurance is illegal.

Most states treat speeding fines that exceed the speed limit by one to 10 miles per hour as minor traffic violations punishable by a penalty. A misdemeanor can be charged if you exceed the speed limit by 11 miles per hour or more.

Why Should You Fight A Misdemeanor Traffic Ticket?

Have you ever wondered if fighting a misdemeanor traffic ticket is worth the money and effort? Many drivers believe they have no choice but to pay the fine. Unfortunately, even a minor speeding offense can result in a hefty punishment, and the consequences do not end there. Here are the reasons to fight a misdemeanor traffic ticket.

1. It’s your right.
If you are accused of a crime, you have the right to a forceful defense. And that’s exactly what a traffic ticket is: it’s a charge of committing a criminal offense. You have the right to a full and thorough defense against any and all criminal charges. You should passionately and without compromise utilize that privilege, and you should not feel bad about it.

2. It’s often a confession of guilt.
If you have any questions about whether you can successfully fight your ticket when you first receive it, do not pay it. Paying the fee is an admission of guilt in almost all countries. Find out how to have your day in court instead.

3. Impact on your car insurance premiums.
A DUI conviction, reckless driving, or careless driving are all severe infractions that will almost certainly result in your insurance being cancelled at the end of the policy's term. Even if your insurance provider doesn't cancel it at the conclusion of the term, the serious violation is still a reason to do so in the future.

A DUI conviction, for example, can result in a 2-fold rise in insurance costs. Over the next five years, you'll almost certainly be paying higher premiums.

4. You may face a lawsuit.
If your ticket was issued as a result of an accident, you might face legal action. In the best-case situation, the other party will settle for your insurance. However, if your insurer refuses their claim or your policy is insufficient to cover the person's damages and injuries, they may seek reimbursement directly from you. You'll have a hard time contesting a lawsuit filed against you because you pleaded guilty to the traffic violation that caused the collision and their injuries.

5. It may affect your career.
If you apply for a job that needs you to drive, the employer will almost certainly check your driving record. If you see a traffic offense, you may forfeit the opportunity. You may lose your driver’s license if your present work needs you to drive, such as being a truck driver. You may lose your employment if your license is revoked and you need to drive for work. Even if the suspension has no direct impact on your job, you’ll find it difficult to travel to and from work if you can’t drive.

6. It may affect your family.
Given all of the statutory and collateral repercussions of simply paying a misdemeanor ticket, it's understandable that this circumstance could cause your family a lot of worries. You'll have to pay the state a variety of fees and surcharges in addition to the monetary fine. The ticket will not be inexpensive. If you lose your driver's license due to a high number of points, your family will be responsible for bringing you to and from work, caring for the kids, and running all of your errands. The financial ramifications of losing your employment could be devastating. Your activities may also result in higher insurance costs for your spouse. In addition to all of this, your family may be forced to defend you in court.

How to Fight a Misdemeanor Traffic Ticket?

It is important to note that misdemeanor traffic violations are more serious in nature than other forms of contraventions such as, city ordinance violation, and civil infractions. While it may be ideal to forego the other types of violations, it is important to fight against a traffic misdemeanor with the help of a capable lawyer.

A misdemeanor ticket can translate to suspension of driving privileges, expensive fines, community service, and even jail time. Read on to learn more about how you can fight such tickets:

1. Look into the Various Laws
Even when you have employed the services of a capable lawyer, it is important to stay updated on the different rules and regulations concerning misdemeanor traffic contraventions. You can do your research and find out the answers to questions such as, “Is a Traffic Ticket a Misdemeanour?”, “What happens if you are caught speeding in a school zone?” and so forth.

When you do your research, your lawyer can work with you more comfortably and it paves the way for an effective ruling in your favour in no time.

2. Educate Yourself about Different Courts
Traffic misdemeanors vary greatly from city ordinance contraventions or civil infractions. Consequently, the trials occur in different courts as well. A misdemeanor ticket will be held at either a traffic court or a criminal court at the main county courthouse.

Generally, you will have to go to the court and plead guilty or not guilty to the misdemeanour during the course of your first hearing. There is also a chance to negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea bargain on the same day. After a plea bargain, it is mandated to show up at the court.

You will have to show up at the court quite a few times before your fate is sealed for good. Your attorney may also show up at your place during some of the hearings.

3. Hire the Help of an Attorney
The correct course of action in the event of a traffic misdemeanor is to hire the help of a skilled traffic defense lawyer. It is important to be equipped with a traffic attorney who knows how to negotiate traffic tickets like an expert. They will not only save your driving record, but will also help you make savings in the form of hundreds, and thousands of dollars every year.

You can get in touch with us at myticketdismissed.com to fight a misdemeanor traffic ticket.

FAQs

1. What Does Misdemeanor Mean?
It is a type of criminal offense. The worst sentence in the case of misdemeanor is having to spend 364 days in the county correctional facility. You may also have to pay a fine of $2500 or do both. The lightest penalty in such a scenario is a court-ordered supervision alongside a fine. If you are able to meet the terms of the supervision, it will result in expungement of misdemeanor from your driving record. It is best to hire the help of a lawyer to fight a misdemeanor ticket.

2. Who Reaps the Benefit When You Pay Your Ticket without Putting Up a Fight?
When you pay your ticket without any fight, the government gains the full fee for the citation. However, it is important to keep in mind that the insurance company wins in the long run as they increase your premiums based on the citations.

No one in the auto insurance industry will ask you to hire the help of a lawyer as it goes against their own economic interest. When they spot a misdemeanor ticket on your driving record, your premiums are bound to witness a huge increase.

3. Can You Be Sentenced to Jail for Misdemeanor?
Most sentences do not contain a jail term, but there is always a slight chance. The court delivers its decision based on the facts of the offense presented before them. In addition, your criminal background may also play a huge role in the decision-making.

If you wish to avoid such hassles, it is recommended to seek the help of an experienced traffic defense lawyer.

4. Does Driving under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI) Constitute a Misdemeanor?
A DUI normally translates into a misdemeanor. However, it may also translate into a felony depending on the aggravating facts of the case in question. These facts include, serious injuries arising out of an accident, not owning a valid license, absence of car insurance, and so forth.

5. Is it Possible to Remove a Misdemeanor from a Criminal Record?
The term for removal of misdemeanor from criminal record is “expungement”. It is possible to remove an event of misdemeanor from your otherwise clean record with the help of a sentence of supervision. You can employ the help of a professional lawyer to help you out with the same.

Why Hire Us?

• Easy to Use
  All you need to do is forward your ticket to us and answer a few simple questions. We will take care of the rest from there.
• Saves You Money
  We can help you save a ton of money by fighting for your traffic misdemeanor and other instances of traffic rules violations on your behalf. It is a well-known fact that insurance quotes tend to increase exponentially when drivers plead guilty to an alleged instance of violation. Thanks to our professional lawyers, you can avoid the payment of high premiums for the next couple years.
• Full Transparency
  We can help you save a ton of money by fighting for your traffic misdemeanor and other instances of traffic rules violations on your behalf. It is a well-known fact that insurance quotes tend to increase exponentially when drivers plead guilty to an alleged instance of violation. Thanks to our professional lawyers, you can avoid the payment of high premiums for the next couple years.
• You can get in touch with our lawyers over phone, email, or text and reach the best possible solution without any hassle.

To Sum Up

From traffic tickets to DUI criminal law cases, we can help you out with anything and everything. Our team of lawyers, headed by the award winning lawyer Ken Tsiprin, are well-versed in each and every aspect of traffic laws and have helped many clients get out of sticky situations without having to pay a dime.

What are you waiting for then? Contact us today!