Traffic ticket in White Plains? This is how a lawyer can help

White Plains, NY - Getting a traffic ticket is not the worst thing in the world. Happens to anyone. Unfortunately, a traffic ticket can have serious financial consequences. Maybe the fine isn’t that big, but have you thought about your auto insurance? In the state of New York, a single ticket can lead to a 12-30% insurance premium increase.

More important than money is what a fine does to your driving record. Drivers who accrue 11 points on their record may have their license suspended. How are you going to get to work then?

If you were caught speeding or charged with any traffic violation, you should seek counsel from an experienced traffic ticket lawyer in White Plains, NY.

Types of tickets a lawyer can help you with

When you reach out to a good lawyer, they can help you fight tickets for:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving too fast for the conditions
  • Changing lanes when unsafe
  • Following too closely 
  • Failing to yield the right of the way
  • Driving under the influence 
  • Not wearing a seatbelt

How do you fight a speeding ticket in White Plains?

A single speeding ticket can cost you 3 to 11 points, just enough to get your license suspended.

The number of points depends primarily on the speed you had and the zone you were driving in. Working zone and school zone tickets are the worst.

If the officer hands you a ticket it’s best not to argue with them. You should not say you’re sorry as this won’t make him change his mind and it does sound like you’re admitting to the traffic violation you’re charged with. Do not start making excuses unless you have a solid one, one you could repeat in court if need be.

Contact some knowledgeable traffic ticket lawyers and see how you can fight the ticket.

The officer’s estimation was incorrect

There are five speeding categories: 

  • 0-10 mph over the limit will cost you 3 points
  • 11-20 mph - 4 points
  • 21-30 mph - 6 points
  • 31-40 mph - 8 points
  • Over 41 moh - 11 points.

Your lawyers will try to have the charge reduced to a lower category by challenging the officer’s assessment. If the ticket is based on visual estimation, your lawyers will try to prove that the officer’s estimate was inaccurate. They will ask the officer what training they have received so they can judge a car’s speed. If the officer admits they may have been wrong by 5 mph this could be enough to get you one category down. Even better, you may have your case dismissed if the officer is not at all sure of what he saw.

The radar was inaccurate

It is a machine, a sensitive one that needs to be recalibrated often. Skilled lawyers know when they can use this line of defense based on their professional experience.

If you have a dash cam on your car, your lawyers may be able to prove that another vehicle was speeding and there was a mix-up. 

Have a good excuse

You may fight a speeding ticket by arguing you didn’t know you were over the speed limit. This can work if there were no visible signs in the area.

If you or someone close to you had a medical emergency, you may get a judge to drop the charges. Of course, you will need to bring proof of the said emergency. This is actually something you should say to the police officer and they may let you go without a ticket.

You might also try to argue you were just going with the flow. If every car around you was going over the speed limit, it would have been dangerous for you to slow down.