Is It Worth It Hiring a Lawyer for a Speeding Ticket?
A speeding ticket can be costly and frustrating. It can also have financial implications that go beyond the initial fine, such as increased insurance premiums or disqualification for jobs that require you to operate a vehicle. You may be wondering whether it is worth it to hire a lawyer or whether paying the fine and moving on is the better option. Before you make a decision, consider some of the factors that make hiring a lawyer for a speeding ticket the better option in the long run.
Understanding Nevada Speeding Laws
All public roadways have posted speed limits in the State of Nevada. Exceeding the posted speed limit is grounds for a law enforcement officer to conduct a traffic stop and issue you a citation (ticket). Under Nevada law, exceeding the posted speed limit is a civil infraction in most cases; however, it is important to understand that speeding can be charged as a criminal offense. Specifically, exceeding the posted speed limit by 30 m.p.h. or more elevates speeding to a criminal misdemeanor.
If you are charged with speeding as a civil infraction, the consequences of accepting guilt or being found guilty at trial is a fine of up to $500 and the imposition of demerit points by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles against your license. For example, speeding up to 10 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit results in one point against your license while exceeding the posted speed limit by 41 m.p.h. or more will cause you to earn five points. Accruing 12 points or more against your license within any 12-month period will result in an automatic six-month suspension of your driving privileges. Insurance companies also routinely check your driver history when calculating premiums with demerit points typically increasing premiums.
Is It Worth It Hiring a Lawyer for a Speeding Ticket? Factors to Consider
After you receive a speeding ticket, you have a short window of opportunity within which you must decide to pay the fine and accept any additional consequences of the ticket or notify the court that you wish to contest the ticket. If you were charged with speeding as a criminal misdemeanor, you will automatically be issued a court date at which time you must plead guilty or not guilty. Factors to consider when deciding whether to hire a lawyer for a speeding ticket include:
· Direct expenses: If you pay for a speeding ticket, you will have to pay the associated fine. The amount of the fine is directly related to the amount by which your speed exceeded the posted speed limit. The higher the fine, the more sense it may make to pay a lawyer to try and avoid the fine.
· Indirect costs: Paying the fine is not the only expense related to a speeding ticket. You should also factor in the likelihood that your insurance premiums will increase for a significant time after paying the fine. The increased premiums paid for several years, added to the cost of the fine, can far exceed the cost of hiring an attorney.
· Risk of suspension: If points have already been levied against your license in the last several months, you could be at risk of having your license suspended if you pay for a speeding ticket. In that case, paying for an attorney to try and avoid additional points on your license may be worth the cost.
· Employment repercussions: If you are required to operate a vehicle as part of your job, a speeding ticket could be problematic. The ticket may cause your employer’s insurance company to refuse to insure you, effectively putting your job at risk.
What Should I Do If I Was Issued a Speeding Ticket in Las Vegas?
If you were issued a speeding ticket in Las Vegas, and you are unsure whether it is worth it to hire a lawyer, consult with an experienced Nevada speeding ticket lawyer at The Vegas Lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and defenses. Call us at 702-707-3000 or contact us online.