Top Reasons to Hire a Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Lawyer
If you recently received a traffic ticket in Las Vegas, you may be wondering whether to just pay the fine indicated on the ticket or hire a lawyer to help you. While it may seem simpler to just pay the fine, you may not be taking into account all the possible negative repercussions of doing so. Before you decide how to handle your traffic ticket, consider some of the numerous reasons to hire a Las Vegas traffic ticket lawyer first.
A Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Lawyer Can Help You Understand Your Ticket
Under Nevada State laws, the traffic ticket you were issued may be classified as a civil infraction or a criminal misdemeanor. Understanding the difference between the two is crucial, as is understanding which one you were issued during the traffic stop. A civil infraction, as the name implies, is a civil matter, meaning you do not face criminal penalties, such as jail time. If you admit the violation or are found guilty at a trial, your penalty will be in the form of a monetary fine (usually not more than $500) and points will be assessed against your license.
If you were issued a ticket for an offense that is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, however, you face up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. To make an informed decision about how to proceed, you need to understand what you were charged with and what all the ramifications are if you are convicted. Consulting with an experienced Las Vegas traffic ticket lawyer is the best way to ensure that you understand your situation and the possible outcomes.
A Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Lawyer Can Contest Your Ticket
Being issued a traffic ticket means you have been accused of committing a traffic infraction or a criminal misdemeanor. It does not mean you have already been convicted! You have a right to contest an infraction or plead not guilty to a criminal misdemeanor. The procedures for doing so, however, are different. For a civil infraction, you must inform the court of your intention to contest the ticket and post a bond. For a criminal misdemeanor, a court date will be scheduled at which time you will enter a plea of not guilty. Further court dates will be scheduled once you have formally contested the ticket.
Following the correct procedures and adhering to statutory timelines are crucial to preserving your right to contest a ticket. Instead of trying to navigate an unfamiliar legal system, let an experienced Las Vegas traffic ticket lawyer be your guide. Your attorney will ensure compliance with all legal procedures and prepare and present your defense strategy at trial.
A Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Lawyer Can Explain and Negotiate Your Options
One of the most important reasons to hire a Las Vegas traffic ticket lawyer is to ensure that you are aware of your options and the possibility of negotiating the terms of an admission of guilt. For example, if you were charged with speeding as a criminal misdemeanor (over 30 m.p.h. above the posted speed limit), your attorney may be able to negotiate an agreement whereby you admit to speeding as a civil infraction (less than 30 m.p.h. above the posted speed limit) instead of a criminal misdemeanor.
As you may well imagine, the benefits of reducing a criminal misdemeanor down to a civil infraction are many, including removing the possibility of being sentenced to serving time in jail and avoiding a conviction on your criminal history.
What Should I Do If I Was Issued a Traffic Ticket in Las Vegas?
If you were issued a traffic ticket in Las Vegas, consult with the experienced Las Vegas traffic ticket attorneys at The Vegas Lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your next steps. Call us at 702-707-3000 or contact us online.