Traffic Attorneys

What do traffic attorneys do?

Traffic attorneys represent persons who have been charged with violating one or more provisions of a state’s or municipality’s motor vehicle codes.

Where do traffic cases occur?

Traffic cases are generally handled in state courts following state and local laws.

When would I need a traffic attorney?

You need a traffic attorney in the following situations:

  • you have received a traffic ticket charging you with a traffic offense;
  • you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident; or
  • you want to understand your rights under state and local traffic laws.

Why do I need a traffic attorney?

Traffic offenses can be very serious. Depending on the type of offense, if you are convicted, you might face large fines, suspension or revocation of your driving privileges, restrictions or conditions imposed on your driving privileges, or even prison time.

While you have the legal right to represent yourself in court, in traffic cases it is inadvisable to do so. The law, court rules, and procedures can be complicated. While you could learn much of that information, it would be difficult to learn it quickly, especially while you are facing the stress of being charged with a traffic offense.

Traffic lawyers are familiar with the laws, procedures, court rules, filing deadlines, rules of evidence, rules for appeals, and other legal rules that will affect your case. They have experience working in court and can identify the various legal issues that you must address to achieve the best possible outcome. They can provide objective advice—something very important when you have been charged with a traffic offense and need candid information and recommendations.

Finally, because many traffic tickets arise from accidents involving personal injuries or property damage, a traffic case may involve civil liability in addition to criminal penalties. A traffic attorney can help you protect your rights in any civil litigation that may result from an accident.

How do I select a traffic attorney?

Here are some general guidelines and questions in four areas—knowledge, experience, availability, and your personal level of comfort with that attorney—that you can use to decide whether to hire a particular attorney.

Knowledge

  • Does the attorney know the elements that the prosecutor must prove to establish guilt for the traffic offense with which you are charged?
  • How strong does the prosecution’s case seem, given the facts in your case?
  • If you are convicted, what is the range of penalties you will face?
  • If you are convicted, how likely is it that you will lose your driving privileges temporarily or permanently, of have your driving privileges restricted?
  • What evidence will be most important?
  • How can you, as the client, help the attorney in preparing and presenting your defense?
  • Can the attorney advise you about possible civil liabilities that may arise from your case?
  • Will the attorney have to do any legal research to handle your case? If so, how much?

Experience

  • Has the attorney worked on traffic cases before?
  • Has the attorney defended clients who were charged with the same traffic offenses you have been charged with?

Availability

  • Does the attorney have adequate time to spend on your case?
  • Does the attorney communicate with you regularly and return your phone calls and e-mail messages promptly?

Level of comfort in dealing with them

  • Do you feel comfortable and confident in dealing with the attorney?
  • Does the attorney answer your questions in a way that you can understand the answers?

Is the attorney willing to spend the necessary time with you to make sure you understand all of the following:

  • the issues of your case?
  • your legal rights?
  • what penalties are possible or likely?
  • the pros and cons of plea bargaining with your case?
  • the strategy he or she recommends for your case?
  • the impact of a criminal conviction on your liability for civil damages resulting from the case? and
    other points that you are concerned about?

How can I find a criminal defense attorney?

Attorneys Catalog provides a list of traffic attorneys licensed to practice law in several states: