“Oh, No! I just got a traffic ticket!”
Call Integrity Law Firm first.
How can we help with your traffic tickets?
1. Peace of mind – With his years of experience defending traffic cases, Rick Boyer can save you the worry of facing a judge on your own. With our help, you may not need to appear in court at all.
2. Saving money – With an experienced attorney to help, you can reduce and sometimes eliminate explosions in insurance premiums that would continue to cost you every month.
3. Reducing legal risk – Some traffic tickets, such as reckless driving or DUI, can involve jail time. Don’t let a one-time mistake or carelessness cost you your freedom! Bring our experience to your team today.
4. Protecting your job – If you drive for a living, moving violations may cost you your job. Don’t risk your family’s livelihood. Call us today for experienced traffic defense!
DID YOU KNOW?
- If you just “pay the ticket to avoid court,” you have pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor?
- If you just “pay the ticket to avoid court,” your insurance company will likely raise your rates automatically, costing you more money every month?
- Even if you think you “deserved” the ticket, police must follow certain procedures before issuing a ticket? If the officer failed to do so, we may be able to help you avoid a conviction.
- Quite frequently, you can get a traffic charge reduced to a lesser infraction just by asking the judge?
Do’s and don’ts if you’re stopped while driving:
DO – Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, keep your hands in plain sight, speak respectfully to the officer. Especially with minor tickets, your best chance to get the charge reduced is to have the officer tell the judge you were “polite and cooperative.”
DO – You are required to give the officer your name, and provide vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Tell him where they are before reaching for them. He may be concerned that you have a gun in the glove compartment. Let him know what you are doing. If it’s dark, turn on your interior lights so the officer can see inside.
DO – If the officer tells you to exit the car, you must. He does not have to tell you why you’re being detained.
DO- Sign the ticket, if the officer gives you one. You’re not admitting guilt; simply promising to either pay the ticket (which is pleading guilty) or to show up in court on the date listed on the ticket to contest the charge.
DO- If the officer asks you if you have a gun, however, you must tell him, and tell him where it is located. You must also, if asked, state whether you have a concealed weapons permit and where it is located.
DON’T – Climb out of your car unless the officer tells you to. He may think you’re attacking him.
DON’T! Yell at the officer, and NEVER threaten an officer. This is a crime and could lead to jail time.
DON’T! Run from the officer. You can’t outrun a police car, and “eluding an officer” is a felony offense that could cost you your right to vote, or to own a firearm, and even your job!
DON’T! Consent to a search of the vehicle. The officer has the right to do a patdown of your person to ensure that you are not carrying a weapon that might be a threat to the officer, if he has a “reasonable suspicion” you may be armed. BUT, he cannot search the vehicle without consent, unless he has “probable cause” to believe a crime has been committed. IF YOU ARE CARRYING A GUN UNDER YOUR SEAT OR IN THE TRUNK AND DO NOT HAVE A CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT, your consent to a search may get you charged with “carrying a concealed weapon.”
DON’T! You are not required to tell the officer if you have consumed alcohol. You don’t have to lie- and DON’T! You have the right to politely refuse to answer. An admission may get you charged with DUI, which can carry a stiff jail sentence. “You have the right to remain silent” when questioned, with the exceptions above. Tell the officer politely that you are exercising that right, if you choose to.
DON’T! Make admissions. Any admission, even in trying to be honest with the officer, may be used as evidence in court to get a conviction. Quite frequently, folks are convicted solely on the basis of their admission when, had they remained silent, there would not have been enough evidence to convict.
DO! Remember your legal rights. If you are arrested, the officer is required to read you your “Miranda rights” (“you have the right to remain silent,” etc) before questioning you.
DO! CALL Integrity Law! You have the right to talk to a lawyer BEFORE answering questions if you are arrested. You are almost always better off to talk to a lawyer BEFORE answering questions.