You may be tempted to pay a speeding ticket to resolve the situation as soon as possible. However, you may want to consider contesting the ticket. It offers various benefits, and an experienced traffic law attorney can help you present a strong defense before a court. No matter how frustrating receiving a speeding citation is, you should take the time to speak with an attorney instead of paying the fees.
What Are the Possible Penalties for a Speeding Ticket in California?
Although the minimum fine for speeding in California is only $35, it can increase exponentially depending on assessment and other fees, the severity of your speeding, and whether you have prior traffic violations. You may also face additional fines if you receive a speeding ticket in a construction or safety zone. If your speeding is especially excessive, you may face reckless driving charges.
If your speed was 100 miles per hour or under while exceeding the speed limit, you can expect a base fine between $35 and $100. If you drive over 100 miles per hour, your speeding ticket can result in $500 to $1,000 in fines and up to a year of license suspension or restriction.
Previous traffic violations can easily lead to a speeding ticket, even a minor one, to result in the loss of your driver’s license.
Is a Speeding Ticket Worth Contesting?
Although a speeding ticket is generally only an infraction instead of a misdemeanor, contesting it can make a positive difference in your record and maintaining your driver’s license. If you choose to pay the ticket, the state considers it an admission of guilt.
If you choose to hire a lawyer and go to court to contest the ticket, this gives you a higher chance of obtaining a dismissal of charges. It can also save you money and avoid higher insurance premiums.
Strategies to Contest a Speeding Ticket
Once you have decided to challenge your speeding ticket, your lawyer can recommend one or more options to build your defense strategies. Your strategy may involve a wide range of elements, including rescheduling hearings, and asking for additional information and documents. A competent defense lawyer can leverage scheduling to your advantage. For example, you can generally obtain a dismissal if the officer who gave you the citation fails to show up at a court hearing, which can happen due to their busy schedule.
If you choose to plead not guilty, the burden of proof is on the prosecution to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the speeding infraction.
Another defense option you may pursue is attending traffic school. You also need court approval for this solution, but if you do, your traffic citation will not show up on your record.
Discuss Your Options with a Reputable Criminal Defense Attorney
A clear understanding of the law and collecting acceptable evidence are vital to beating a speeding ticket in California. At The Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed, we have over 10 years of experience successfully defending our clients against accusations of traffic violations, including speeding.
We recommend that you reach out to us as soon as you receive your citation so we can review your case and determine which defense strategies may fit your situation. Attorney Ahmed aims to obtain a dismissal of the charges and we can also explore alternative penalties to minimize the points from your record.
Are you considering contesting a speeding ticket in the East Bay area? Call The Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed today at (510) 907-6600 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation.