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Traffic crimes can lead to missed work, stiff fines, lost driving privileges, increased insurance rates, and even prison time, especially for repeat offenders. If you've been charged with a traffic violation, treat it with the seriousness it deserves, and contact an experienced traffic law attorney at once. Some commentators estimate the insurance cost of three tickets to be nearly $3,000 over five years, which far exceeds the fine imposed by the state. If you want to avoid these egregious charges, seek the counsel of a traffic law attorney at once if you are charged with a traffic infraction. St. Louis Traffic Ticket LawyerA minor traffic ticket may seem insignificant. However, in Missouri, points are assessed to your driver's license for each infraction, regardless of the severity. Accumulation of too many points can result in fines, license suspension, or escalation of your insurance rates. Therefore, it is important to aggressively fight traffic tickets in order to preserve your license. Traffic ticket lawyers at Diekman & Leightner provide each client with a strong defense. We focus on limiting the threat of license suspension or point assessment through traffic ticket amendments or dismissals. Learn more about protecting your rights by contacting our traffic ticket defense attorneys for a free consultation and reasonable defense rates. The law firm of Diekman & Leightner provides experienced traffic ticket defense services at a reasonable cost, to clients in all St. Louis, Missouri, municipalities. We handle Department of Revenue driver's license suspensions and traffic ticket amendments involving speeding tickets and other moving violations. At Diekman & Leightner, our traffic ticket lawyers offer aggressive, proactive, and persuasive legal counsel to clients who have been issued a traffic ticket. Our defense skills have proved successful in our experience representing cab drivers and other drivers in St. Louis. Contact us for a fearless defense. Diekman & Leightner, Attorneys at Law The law office of Diekman & Leightner provides experienced legal representation to clients in communities such as St. Louis City, Clayton, Des Peres, Creve Coeur, St Charles, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Manchester, University City, Shrewsbury, Town & Country, Bel-Ridge, Sunset Hills, Overland, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Berkeley, and Pine Lawn, Missouri. The firm also represents clients throughout the Central West End, North County, West County, and South County.The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. St. Louis County • St. Louis City • Jefferson County • Franklin County Traffic Violations - An OverviewAlthough many traffic offenses may not carry the same stigma and penalties as other, more serious crimes, even the lower-level offenses can result in significant fines, loss of driving privileges, and increased insurance rates. And the more serious offenses, or even some less serious violations if they are part of a series of violations by the same offender, can result in imprisonment. Thus, traffic charges should not be taken lightly. An attorney can explain the possible consequences of the various violations and represent those charged with traffic offenses throughout the resolution of the matter, taking some of the mystery out of the process and increasing the chances of the least serious outcome. Speeding LawsOrdinarily speeding tickets are offenses or infractions rather than crimes, but it is not uncommon for speeding tickets to be treated as misdemeanors. If you received a speeding ticket, contact our firm to schedule a meeting with an attorney who can explain how the speed laws operate in our state. Misdemeanor and Felony Traffic OffensesSome traffic offenses are more serious than others and can result in penalties as serious as imprisonment. While a traffic infraction might be a minor matter if no one is hurt, the same incident can be a misdemeanor or felony if someone is hurt or killed or if there is serious property damage. Some specific traffic offenses, however, are considered serious violations on their own, such as drunk driving or operating a vehicle without a license. A person charged with a traffic-related crime should treat his or her situation seriously and contact an attorney who can help to protect his or her legal rights. Point SystemMany states utilize a point system to monitor the driving records of their citizens. Under a point system, traffic violations are assigned point values and the driving privileges of individuals who accumulate a certain number of points in a specified time period will be suspended or revoked. Points also can lead to increased auto insurance rates. Contact an attorney experienced in handling traffic violations in your area to learn more about the point values assigned to traffic violations in your state and what impact they may have on your driving future. License Revocation or SuspensionDepending on the state, the particular traffic offense on which the suspension or revocation will be based or both, the decision to suspend or revoke a driver's license may be required or within the discretion of the person or entity authorized to suspend or revoke the license. In all states, driver's license revocation or suspension can have a serious impact on one's life and should not be taken lightly. Contact our firm to schedule an appointment with an attorney who can explain the laws and regulations governing license revocation or suspension in our state. Traffic Violations Resource Links
Summary of State Speed Laws (.pdf)
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA): Information for the Public
State Transportation Web Sites (DOTs and DMVs)
State Statutes on Motor Vehicles
What Happens if I'm Stopped by an Officer of the Law?
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Call us nowor use the form below.Frequently Asked Questions about Traffic Violations
Q: How will a traffic ticket affect my insurance rates? A: Depending on the type of violation, the number of violations, your state's traffic laws and your insurance company's policies, a traffic violation might result in increased insurance premiums. In general, receiving only one moving violation (such as a speeding ticket or a citation for running a stoplight) in a given time frame (typically three to five years) will not result in an increased insurance premium. However, more than one moving violation or a car accident in which you were at fault in a given time frame may result in an increased insurance premium. Q: What does is mean that a traffic violation is a strict liability offense? A: A strict liability offense is an offense for which proof of "criminal intent" is not necessary for conviction. Stated differently, proof that a traffic violation occurred is typically sufficient to convict the violator. Thus, a driver may be fined for turning into the wrong lane even if he or she did so accidentally, parking next to fire hydrant even if he or she did not see the hydrant, or for an expired parking meter even if he or she did not intend let the meter expire. |
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
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