What To Do When You Get A Speeding Ticket In Texas

speeding

So you are the recipient of a speeding ticket in Dallas. Oftentimes, this is an annoying, frustrating, and time-consuming experience. Many Texas drivers incorrectly assume that simply paying the ticket is the easiest and most economical way to close the case.  Not so fast!  Paying the fine is an admission of guilt in the state of Texas, and the guilty judgment will be entered as a conviction on your driving record.  There are other options to consider, such as speaking to our Dallas speeding ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP. We have experience in fighting speeding tickets and will fight on your behalf to obtain a favorable resolution.

Consequences For A Texas Speeding Ticket Conviction

In Texas, the consequences for a speeding ticket conviction can vary.  In Texas, the consequences for a speeding ticket conviction depend on how severe the charge is. If you ignore the traffic violation or neglect to timely handle the ticket, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.  You can then be arrested.

In addition to the fine payments, traffic ticket convictions can cause points to accrue on your driving record. If you accrue too many points, you may be at risk of having the State of Texas suspend your driver’s license. You will be deemed a habitual violator, and the Texas Department of Public Safety will send you notice that they intend to suspend your license. If you receive this notice, please immediately contact our office and we can file a response to the letter and request a hearing to fight for your right to legally operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway. Our office has successfully handled hundreds of Driver’s License Suspension Hearings, and we will do our best to keep you on the road.

Forbes Magazine reports that an average speeding ticket for 10 MPH over the posted speed limit in Texas is approximately $223.

Please note that if you are a commercial truck driver or in an occupation that requires an excellent driving record, your job could be at risk if you get convicted of a speeding violation. Many employers require clean driving records for Commercial Driver License holders.

Potential Actions To Take After Getting A Texas Speeding Ticket

First, review the ticket and see how long you have to resolve the situation. The ticket will specify the appearance date – either a specific date or so many days after the date of the stop.  If you do not respond within the required time period, the ticket will go into warrant status.  You will be subject to arrest, and court fees will increase.

Paying The Ticket

Do not pay your ticket outright.  The best action to take is to consult with our speeding ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP who can review your ticket and best advise you on how to proceed.  Do not attempt to comprehend traffic ticket law on your own and address your ticket pro se, i.e., represent yourself without a lawyer.

Contest The Ticket In Court

Instead of paying the fine outright, you could plead not guilty and contest the ticket in court. You could represent yourself in court, but the chances of success are uncertain, especially if you are unfamiliar with criminal defense, rules of evidence, or local court procedures.

The best option is to hire our speeding ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP to handle the matter.  They have years of experience and know the best way to protect your rights.

Deferred Disposition

If the Court grants your request for deferred disposition, formerly known as deferred adjudication, you plead guilty or no contest to the charge and pay the required fees. It is not that simple, however.  There could be additional requirements to complete.  But if you fail to fulfill the terms, a judgment of guilt will be entered on your driving record, resulting in points on your license and possibly additional fees.

Note that you cannot always obtain deferred disposition. Some examples where this is not an option are:

  • You already have a deferral from another traffic court.
  • You have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
  • The speeding violation resulted in an accident.
  • Your speeding offense occurred in a construction zone with workers present.

It is in your best interest to retain the experienced traffic lawyers at Anderson & Anderson, LLP who understand traffic law and can best advise you on deferred disposition.  Do not attempt to represent yourself as you may not fully understand how to successfully request deferred disposition and how to complete the requirements of deferred disposition.

Driver Safety Class

Another option when you get a Texas speeding ticket is to ask for a state-approved driving safety class; however, there is a very specific procedure for choosing this option. To be eligible for a driver safety class, you must meet these criteria:

  • Have a valid driver’s license in Texas.
  • Not have taken a driver’s safety class in the last year.
  • Not be taking a driving class for another traffic violation.
  • Not driving at 95 MPH or more.
  • Not speeding in a construction area with construction workers there.
  • Not have been speeding when you were passing a school bus.
  • Not have been speeding over the limit by 25 MPH or more.

The Court might have additional requirements in addition to completing a driving safety class, i.e., submitting your driving record.  If you do not complete each requirement, a judgement of guilt will be entered on your driving record.

Avoid the confusion of adhering to every requirement for a driving safety class, and call Anderson & Anderson, LLP.  We will save you the hassle of completing the many requirements of dismissal through a driving safety course.

Contact Our Dallas Speeding Ticket Lawyers For Assistance

If you have been issued a Dallas speeding ticket, do not simply pay the fine without a fight. Instead, speak to our Dallas speeding ticket lawyers today at (214) 370-8260. Our attorneys will review your case and determine the best way to fight the ticket and obtain the best possible disposition.  Our ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP have represented thousands of Texans with speeding tickets in the last 20 years. Much of our current legal business is based on referrals from satisfied speeding ticket clients.  Let us assist you with your case.

Our speeding ticket attorney Bradley Anderson has been named a Texas Rising Star four times; only 2.5% of Texas attorneys obtain this distinction. In addition to this accolade, he has been a D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas nine times.  He has an excellent record of fighting misdemeanor charges on behalf of his clients, including speeding tickets.

How A Texas Speeding Ticket Can Impact Your Life

Texas speeding tickets

If you are like many people, there are times when you drive faster than you should. Perhaps you were late for an appointment, work or getting your child at school. Unfortunately, speeding in Dallas can lead to speeding tickets, and that can cause problems in your life. What seems like a simple matter can have an adverse impact on your life. Learn below how a Texas speeding ticket can affect your life. If you want to fight your traffic ticket, let our Dallas speeding ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP help you.

Effects Of A Texas Speeding Ticket

Going over the speed limit is hazardous and, of course, should be avoided. If you get a Texas speeding ticket, you should be prepared for what happens next. You would be facing the following issue:

  • Driving record: The improper handling of your speeding ticket could result in a conviction of guilty being entered on your driving record. If you get too many points, your driver’s license can even be suspended (more information below). Speeding tickets well above the speed limit can add even more points to your license.
  • Insurance rate: One speeding conviction could result in higher insurance premiums because your auto insurance company would deem you a higher risk.

There are other ways that your speeding ticket can affect your life. For example, you may have difficulty getting certain types of jobs. Getting too many traffic violations can prevent you from getting a security clearance for government work. Also, some companies want employees with clean driving records. With a Texas speeding ticket, getting the job you want could be more difficult.

Some Texas speeders also can be denied promotions because the employer believes they are irresponsible. The last thing you would want is to miss a salary increase or promotion because of a tarnished driving record.

Overview Of The Texas Driving Point System

Like many states, Texas has a point system for traffic tickets. These points are put on your license every time you have a conviction. From the date of your speeding conviction, the offense will stay on your record for three years. So if you get enough speeding tickets within three years, it can impact your driving record.

The points system in Texas is straightforward. Every moving violation, including a speeding ticket, is worth two points; however, a moving violation which causes an injury is three points. If you have four moving violations within 12 months or seven violations within 2 months, your driver’s license can be suspended

Should You Fight A Texas Speeding Ticket?

After getting your Texas speeding ticket, you have several options. You can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. You think that the fine is reasonable, and you want to resolve this issue quickly. You decide to plead guilty or no contest, and you pay the fine. You think the matter is closed. However, what most drivers don’t realize is that your offense is now on your driving record. In the State of Texas, paying a fine is an admission of guilt. This infraction is now on your driving record.

Another option is to try to have the speeding ticket dismissed by taking a driver safety course. If you want to do that, you must first contact the Court, request this option, and pay the fee. If granted, you must submit proof of completion and your driving record by the prescribed deadline. If you don’t do this, a conviction will be entered on your driving record. Or, if you complete a class prior to contacting the Court, the Court will not accept the certificate of completion.

A final option is to represent yourself in Court – pro se. The question is – do you have the time and expertise to do this?

Avoid these different and confusing and time-consuming options. Choose the simple solution, and contact our traffic ticket attorneys at ANDERSON & ANDERSON, LLP. We will go to Court for you and put up a rigorous defense to arrive at a disposition that will help you keep your driving record clear, reduce court fees, and avoid increase in insurance premiums.

How Likely Is It Your Texas Speeding Ticket Will Be Dismissed?

Before you plead guilty to speeding in Texas, consider a few things. You should understand how likely it is that the ticket can get dismissed. With your attorney, go over the violations on your ticket. Was speeding the only reason you were cited? In many cases, drivers are ticketed for other violations, including:

  • Not having their license with them
  • Driving with an expired driver’s license
  • Driving with an expired vehicle registration
  • Not having proof of insurance
  • Not having a license plate on the front of the vehicle

Also, you cannot get your ticket dismissed in Texas if you were going 25 MPH or more over the limit. Another example is speeding in a school or construction zone or going 95 MPH or faster.

Taking A Texas Driver Safety Course

Getting a speeding ticket dismissed in Texas often involves taking a state-approved driver safety class. If you successfully take and pass the course, the violation and points will not go on your record. This is a critical step to avoid an increase in your insurance premiums and points on your license.

The Court must first grant your request for a driving safety course. The Court will not accept the certificate of completion if you take the class prior to the Court’s approval and payment of the court fee. You have 90 days to complete the class. Upon completion of the class, you must provide the certificate of completion to the court to avoid additional penalties. Oftentimes, you must also submit your driving record.

Yes, taking a driver safety course is an effective way to avoid a Texas speeding ticket from affecting your life. Also, your auto insurance provider may give you a discount for taking the course. However, this option involves many steps and if you forget one part, a conviction will be entered on your driving record.

Make your life easier, and contact ANDERSON & ANDERSON, LLP.

Contact A Dallas Speeding Ticket Lawyer Today

Did you get a Dallas speeding ticket recently near Klyde Warren Park or the Perot Museum of Nature and Science? If not handled properly, a speeding ticket conviction can lead to fines, points on your license, and more, but it does not need to be that way. At ANDERSON & ANDERSON, LLP, we can help fight your speeding ticket in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, and Tarrant counties. Contact our Dallas speeding ticket lawyers at (214) 370-8260 for assistance.