Why do I need a lawyer for a traffic violation?

On Behalf of | May 26, 2020 | Blog

If you have received a speeding citation, you may be wondering what your options are. In fact, you may not even realize you have options, or may believe that you cannot navigate the system. For these reasons, it may feel like paying the ticket is your only alternative. 

However, hastily submitting the payment without fighting the citation may have unintended consequences. For example, if you accumulate multiple infractions, this could escalate the penalties you may face. 

How a speeding ticket could affect you 

New Hampshire uses demerit points to rate motor vehicle violations, such as speeding, and these points can remain on your record for three years after an incident. Too many combined demerit points, from any type of infraction, can result in a license suspension for a period of three months to a year. Each speeding violation can produce three or more points, so additional occurrences may quickly put you over the edge into suspension. 

The financial costs may also amount to more than you can afford. For example, the court may impose fines; your insurance premiums may increase significantly; or your insurance provider may drop you altogether, forcing you to seek a new — possibly higher cost — provider. If the court considers you a habitual offender, the penalties may become even worse. 

Why you may want an attorney 

The legal system is complex, with nuances that can easily result in mistakes if a person has inadequate experience. When your goal is to mitigate or eliminate future consequences of traffic violations, a qualified professional can help you navigate the pitfalls. Because the law is vast, choose a legal representative who has worked extensively in the practice area affecting you. This could possibly spare you the more severe impacts to your life. 

With fewer people on the road recently, there has been a significant surge in traffic violations involving speeding. Although you may have found yourself a part of that statistic, do not let this discourage you from exploring your rights under the law.