Understanding the Impact of Traffic Violations on Your Driving Record

Many people think of traffic violations as minor offenses. However, traffic tickets can have serious consequences. If you were involved in an accident, a traffic ticket can help establish your financial responsibility. Many states assess points on your license if you get tickets. Plus, more serious driving infractions, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), can have dire criminal consequences.

If you have been charged with DUI or DWI, you could face severe penalties. Those penalties increase if you have previously been convicted of DUI or DWI. They also increase if you had an accident and if anyone was injured as a result of DUI or DWI. Because of the potentially severe penalties involved, many people think that they should always plead not guilty to these charges. However, there are some instances where a guilty or no-contest plea is a better idea.

It is important to know what kind of substance is involved in the DUI or DWI charge. For prescription or over the counter drugs, it may be easier to beat the charges. For alcohol or illegal drugs, the charges can be more difficult to beat. However, lawyers can challenge the calibration of testing instruments and validity of roadside sobriety stops, so one should always consult with an attorney before pleading guilty. Furthermore, if a substance abuse problem has contributed to DUI or DWI, an attorney may be able to get you into a rehab program instead of jail.

General traffic tickets are not usually as high stakes as DUI or DWI offenses. However, that does not mean that they are no-stakes or even low-stakes. The good news is that you can beat many traffic tickets by going to court. However, there are some tickets that are almost impossible to beat. An attorney can help you understand the difference between the two and determine whether your ticket is one you can beat.

Even if the facts of the ticket do not mean it is one you can beat, you may still want to go to court. Generally, if the ticketing police officer fails to appear in court, you may be able to get the traffic violations dismissed. The more serious the offense, the more likely the court is to grant the prosecution a continuance. If the officer does appear, you can always change your plea to a guilty plea, at that time.