This is a situation that most people run into. They may be speeding because they are late, not paying attention to signs, or a number of reasons. The point is that most people end up speeding at some point in their life. The question is what do you do now and how can a lawyer help?
The first thing you should do is read the ticket to see what you were charged with and if you need to contact the court in a certain amount of time. Most speeding tickets say that you need to contact the court within a certain time, usually ten days. The ticket may also include information on how to pay the ticket, accept the points, and move on.
The second thing to do is look to see what the ticket is for because many people don’t realize that many traffic tickets can be misdemeanor crimes. If you plead guilty by mail or in person, then you have a criminal conviction. To make matters worse, most traffic crimes are not expungable meaning that you will end up with a criminal conviction that can’t be removed.
The third thing you should do is call an attorney. Make sure to do so sooner rather than later. They will help you understand your situation since everyone’s situation is different. Some things that will make a difference are whether you were in an accident, your past record, the speed, if you were in a school or construction zone, if the officer charged you with a lesser crime or speed, among other things.
Lastly, if you hire an attorney, they will guide you through the process, explain your options, and hopefully save you a few points or get the case dismissed. There is no way to know what will happen, but you have a better chance of a favorable result by hiring a lawyer. If you’ve been pulled over for speeding in Michigan, call me for a free consultation.
