How Traffic Ticket Convictions Can Impact Everyday Life 1025

traffic ticket

Many people in the Arlington region tend to drive too fast to reach their destinations. They may reach their destination sooner, but they risk receiving a traffic citation for speeding. Learn how traffic ticket convictions can impact your life. Talk to our Arlington traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP, for assistance.

What Are The Effects Of A Traffic Ticket Conviction?

Violating traffic laws, such as driving over the speed limit, is dangerous and can be very expensive. If you are cited, contact immediately our experienced traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP. because if you are convicted of a traffic violation, expect the following consequences:

Fines

You face considerable fines in Texas if the court finds you guilty of the offense. For example, Forbes states that the average speeding ticket in Texas for going 10 MPH over the limit is about $223 plus court costs, and going 15 MPH over the limit will cost approximately $255 plus court costs.

Points on your license and the Texas driver’s license point system

Not addressing a traffic ticket properly can result in points being put on your Texas driving record. Texas uses a point system that penalizes drivers with traffic convictions. And too many points in a limited period on your driving record can result in the suspension of your driver’s license. Four points or more within 12 months or seven points within 24 months will result in the suspension of your driver’s license.

Two points are added for the conviction of a moving violation, such as speeding. Three points are added if speeding results in a crash. Points will remain on your driving record for three years.

Higher insurance rates

Your insurance premiums could increase if you are convicted of too many traffic violations in Arlington. You may not see a higher rate immediately, but you can expect your premium to increase when your policy is renewed. In Texas, the average annual increase for auto insurance after a conviction for a speeding violation is $555.

Difficulty getting or keeping a job

Some jobs can be affected by too many Arlington traffic tickets. For instance, too many tickets and convictions can affect your ability to obtain a security clearance. Also, many employers require a clean driving record to be employed, such as Uber or Doordash drivers.

What To Do After Receiving An Arlington Traffic Ticket

After you get an Arlington traffic ticket, you can try to handle this case on your own. You can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead guilty or no contest, you admit that you violated the law. In this case, you can pay the fine by mail, online, or in person. Or you can contact the Court and request a Texas-approved driving safety course to have the violation dismissed.

If you plead not guilty, you must appear in court to fight the ticket. You can make your case to the Arlington traffic court judges yourself – pro se. If you do this, you are expected to have the same knowledge as an attorney.

Do not try to handle the ticket on your own. You may initially save some money, but if not handled properly you will end up owing a lot of money in the long run.

While some defendants may successfully argue their case pro se, it is best to simply contact our experienced Arlington tickets at Anderson & Anderson, LLP who know the law and the rules of the court. We will guide you through the process and help you to try and keep your driving record clear of this offense.

When Can A Traffic Ticket Be Dismissed?

Most people think that simply paying the fine will result in the dismissal of the ticket. The case will be closed. The ticket will be dismissed. But that is not the end. Before you plead not guilty to your ticket, you should know several things that affect whether it can be dismissed. First, what is the violation? Is it only speeding, or did you commit other infractions, too? Some of the common violations that often accompany a speeding ticket are:

  • Driving with an expired registration, insurance, or driver’s license
  • Driving without a front license plate or altered license plate

Furthermore, your ticket cannot be dismissed in Texas if you were going 25 MPH or above the speed limit. It also cannot be dismissed if you received a ticket in a school or construction zone. However, if your driving record is fairly clean and you were speeding at less than 25 MPH, you can try for possible dismissal. Contact our traffic ticket attorneys at ANDERSON & ANDERSON, LLP who have the knowledge and experience

to try for the best possible disposition.

Going To Defensive Driving School

There are many factors to consider before opting to take a driving safety course for a dismissal. First, there are several violations that cannot be dismissed by taking a driving safety court. These include:

  • Driving at or over 25 miles per hour above the posted speed limit
  • Not having car insurance at the time of a violation or vehicle crash
  • An infraction for passing a school bus
  • Leaving the scene of a crash or a hit and run
  • Violations that occurred in a construction zone

Second, you can only take one driving safety course every twelve months to have one ticket dismissed.

Third, must contact the court and make a request. Only if and when the Judge grants your request can you take a class To qualify for a defensive driving class, the procedure is generally as follows:

  • Plead guilty or no contest to your traffic violation.
  • Waive a trial by jury.
  • Submit a defensive driving class request form
  • Have a valid Texas driver’s license.
  • Provide proof of valid auto insurance.
  • Pay court costs for the defensive driving course

Avoid this hassle and possible confusion and contact our experienced and knowledgeable traffic ticket attorneys at ANDERSON & ANDERSON, LLP who can best advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of taking a driving safety court.

Contact Our Arlington Traffic Ticket Lawyer Now

If you receive a traffic ticket conviction in Arlington, you must know that this ticket could have numerous negative effects on your life. Instead of simply paying for the ticket, consider fighting it with our assistance. Contact our Arlington traffic ticket lawyers at (214) 370-8260 if you want to fight your traffic ticket.

What Happens When You Don’t Pay Your Traffic Tickets?

traffic ticket

A driver’s license is essential to get to and from work, to accomplish necessary daily needs, and to provide as ID. But if you get too many tickets and do not resolve them, you can lose your license, pay higher fines, and more. If you have unpaid speeding tickets, our Tarrant County traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP, can assist you with your tickets in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, and Kaufman counties.

More Fines

If you have traffic tickets in Texas and do not address them before the appearance date, the court fees will increase. There could be additional fees as well – warrant fees, OMNI holds, and SCOFFLAW fees.

Do not ignore your traffic tickets if you cannot afford to pay. Contact our traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP at (214) 370-8260 to help with your traffic ticket.

OMNI Hold

If you do not address your Tarrant County speeding tickets, the Court could put an OMNI hold on your driver’s license. The hold on your license will remain until you resolve these cases. You cannot renew or update your driver’s license until these issues are resolved.

It is in your best interest to retain the traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP who are experienced in addressing OMNI holds. First, we will post bonds to have the warrants lifted and then advise you on when to pay the OMNI holds. OMNI fees are paid directly to the Court, and each Court has different procedures as to when the holds can be paid.

SCOFFLAW

The SCOFFLAW program in Texas allows the state to put a hold on your vehicle registration if you owe the state or county for unresolved traffic tickets. This block can only be removed when you resolve your tickets.

Warrant For Your Arrest

A warrant will be issued for your arrest – you can be arrested anywhere – not just in y our car, but also at home or at work. Avoid what could be a most embarrassing situation, and contact the traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP as soon as you receive a ticket.

Points On Your Driver’s License

If your tickets are not handled properly, judgments of guilt could be entered on your driving record. Points would be entered, and too many points on your driving record would result in the suspension of your driver’s license and possibly an increase in your car insurance rates. Avoid this situation and contact the traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP.

Other Consequences

You also should consider the additional consequences of not resolving your traffic tickets. It may be harder to get a positive resolution to other traffic violations in the future. You also may have difficulty getting acceptable and affordable auto insurance rates and even car loans.

Are you planning to move to another state? Do not think the traffic tickets can be forgotten. Most states are part of the Non-Resident Violator Compact. This allows states to share information about driver license suspensions and traffic tickets. If you move out-of-state and try to get a new driver’s license, you may find that your old traffic tickets will prevent you from getting one.

Options To Resolve Old Traffic Tickets

None of us like to pay for traffic tickets, but it is best to address them as quickly as possible. And remember – no matter how old, your tickets need to be addressed. These are your options:

Pay Your Tickets In Full

Contrary to what you may think, paying your traffic ticket or requesting a payment plan prior to your appearance date is not a viable option. The Court might close your case, but these two options mean you have essentially pleaded guilty to the ticket. Judgment of guilt will be entered on your driving record, and that results in points on your driving record. Too many points and your driver’s license will be suspended.

Take A Defensive Driving Class

Another option is to take a defensive driving class to have your case dismissed. The State allows you to take one class per twelve months. However, do not take the class before requesting the Court to grant your request and paying the required fee to the Court. If granted, you have a certain number of days to complete the TEA-approved class, submit the Certificate of Completion and submit your driving record. If you comply with all these requirements, your ticket should be dismissed.

Fight The Ticket

Do you think law enforcement was wrong to issue you the ticket? You think that you are innocent. You think that the charge is bogus. You can always plead not guilty, appear in court and fight the ticket.

Yes, you can represent yourself in court, but the judge will not give you leeway because you are not an attorney. As a pro se defendant, you must know the law and court procedures just like a lawyer. Unfortunately, many people who represent themselves make mistakes that lead to a conviction. Instead, contact our traffic ticket attorneys to represent you. Our attorneys will review the ticket and the circumstances surrounding the police stop. Our goal is to help you keep your driving record clear of the offense and try to get court fees reduced.

Contact Our Tarrant CountyTraffic Ticket Attorneys Today

Contact our Tarrant County traffic ticket attorneys at Anderson & Anderson, LLP at (214) 370-8260 to help with your traffic tickets. We also handle traffic issues in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, and Kaufman counties.