Being pulled over by the police and receiving a traffic ticket can be embarrassing and frustrating. If you have received a moving citation, it is best to speak immediately with an experienced Irvine traffic lawyer. Scott D. Henry and his legal team have decades of experience successfully advocating for clients facing traffic violations. Our criminal defense attorneys could aggressively fight for your rights while saving you time and money.
Traffic Offenses in Irvine
A traffic citation is issued when a motorist violates the California Vehicle Code. These laws and regulations are meant to keep all parties on the road safe. Therefore, when someone violates one, the penalties could be severe, depending on the offense. Several commonly issued traffic violation include:
- Speeding
- Cell phone usage while driving
- Driving without a license
- Driving without insurance
- Reckless driving
- Hit and run
- Street racing
- Red light violations
- Carpool lane violations
One of our skilled attorneys in Irvine could help you through the legal process if you have received a citation for one of these traffic violations.
Penalties for Traffic Violations
The penalties for traffic offenses vary considerably. They depend on the nature and severity of the violation. Common penalties include fines and traffic school or points on your DMV record. More severe offenses include jail time or the suspension of your driver’s license. It can be challenging and costly to get to work or go to school if your license is suspended, and if you are required to drive while at work, you may lose your job. Having an Irvine traffic attorney could help you minimize penalties and keep you behind the wheel.
DMV Point System
The California Department of Motor Vehicles implemented a point system to track a driver’s risky or dangerous driving behavior. When you receive a traffic ticket, one or two points are added to your record at the DMV. The number of points you receive depends on the seriousness of the violation. If you accumulate a certain amount of points on your driving record within a specific time period, the DMV may suspend your driving privileges. A license suspension occurs if you receive:
- Four points in one year
- Six points in three years
- Eight points in three years
Losing your driving privileges could drastically affect your way of life. There is a significant loss of freedom, and it is increasingly difficult to accomplish the simplest of tasks. That is why it is crucial to retain the services of a lawyer to fight the violation and keep you on the road.
What Can a Traffic Violation Attorney Do to Help?
Many drivers decide to pay the ticket and accept the penalties because they do not have the time or money to fight it. A motorist may also feel they do not know how to fight it and will not be able to avoid or minimize the penalties. However, hiring a lawyer in Irvine could help you have the ticket dropped or reduced to avoid or minimize any traffic violation penalties. Our team at The Law Office of Scott D. Henry could assist you by:
- Advising you of your legal rights and options
- Analyzing your case details to determine an appropriate defense strategy that could have your ticket dismissed.
- Negotiating a resolution
- Representing you in Traffic Court.
Experienced and diligent legal representation is key in fighting your traffic ticket. It can minimize some, if not all, of the penalties associated with the violation, which could save you time, money, and stress.
Contact a Leading Irvine Traffic Attorney Today
Many drivers have experienced the frustration of receiving a traffic ticket. They often accept the ticket and pay the fine because they are too busy or unsure how to go to court and fight it. There is a significant chance the long-lasting effects of a ticket can be avoided if you hire an Irvine traffic lawyer to help fight it for you. Our skilled attorneys at the Law Office of Scott D. Henry have over 40 years of combined experience fighting for clients who received traffic citations and know how to advocate effectively on your behalf. Our team could find errors that result in a ticket’s dismissal. If the ticket is unavoidable, we could negotiate to have the penalties avoided or reduced. Contact us for a free consultation with no obligation.