Is It Cost Effective to Hire an Attorney to Fight a Speeding Ticket?

Posted by jmr on Oct 30, 2020 in Uncategorized | 0 comments Depending on how fast you were going, the fine for speeding can be several hundred dollars. Because the fine may be similar to, or even less than, what it would cost to hire an attorney to help you fight the ticket, you may wonder if it is worth the extra expense. However, the costs of a speeding ticket may extend beyond the fine and may take some time to accrue. Often, it is more cost-effective to hire an attorney and challenge the ticket. Hidden Costs of Speeding Tickets On average, it costs about $250 to $350 to hire a traffic attorney. Depending on the seriousness of your offense, the fine for your speeding ticket may be close to that amount or even less.  However, the costs do not stop when you pay the fine. Paying a speeding ticket is an admission of guilt. When your insurance company finds out about the ticket, it will likely raise your premium rates. On average, you will pay an extra $25 a month for three years. This amounts to $900 extra that you will pay if you do not hire an attorney and challenge your ticket in court. Of course, there is also the option of representing yourself in traffic court. This may save you attorney fees, but you will still have to pay court fees. If your case is not successful, you will end up paying the fine and the increased insurance premium anyway. Not only that, but you will have to take time off from work to go to court, which could result in less pay depending on the arrangement that you have with your employer. Other Advantages of Hiring an Attorney Your chances of successfully defending yourself against a traffic infraction increase dramatically when you hire an attorney to represent you in traffic court. Your attorney is more familiar with the law than you are and has more experience in court. Additionally, the attorney likely knows the judge that may hear your case and how to get on their good side. Hiring an attorney can save you time. You do not need to go through the process of gathering evidence and accessing your driving record yourself. Your attorney has the resources to complete these tasks for you more efficiently. It may not be appropriate to hire a traffic attorney in every case, but often it is the more cost-effective course....
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