Little River Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Little River Traffic Ticket Attorney

Many people don’t realize that contesting traffic tickets may be to their benefit. Even certain minor offenses, such as speeding or reckless driving, can result in a court hearing date, points on your license, or even a license suspension. Speeding tickets are an incredibly common traffic violation, but paying the fine means admitting guilt to the crime. If you have been issued a speeding ticket, or any other traffic ticket in Little River, it’s important to find a qualified traffic ticket attorney. This can help you avoid charges and penalties.

Axelrod & Associates: Legal Representation for Traffic Tickets

Axelrod & Associates have been serving individuals in the Little River area and surrounding communities, defending their rights against traffic tickets and infractions. Our goal is to get you through court proceedings for your traffic ticket as quickly as possible while minimizing or eliminating any penalties.

Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience working in different areas of law, and we use that experience to advocate for your rights at your hearing. We can ensure that you understand the proceedings and have a realistic and informed view of your situation.

Traffic Tickets in Little River

There are several reasons why drivers may be issued tickets. Traffic citations may be for:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Careless operation
• Driving on a suspended or revoked license
• Driving without insurance
• Traffic offenses charged to out-of-state drivers
• Running a stop sign or red light
• Failure to obey traffic signs or devices
• Passing a stopped school bus

An attorney can improve the chances of successfully contesting a traffic ticket. An attorney can also advise you on whether challenging the ticket is a good idea for your given situation.

Penalties for a Speeding Ticket in Little River

A traffic ticket for speeding carries both fines and points added to one’s driver’s license. Although a speeding ticket can be financially annoying, or even damaging, points on a driver’s license can also have long-term consequences. Once a driver reaches 12 points on their license, it is suspended.

The penalties for a speeding ticket are dependent on the speed you were going. Penalties include:

• 10 miles per hour (MPH) or more above the speed limit results in 2 points on your driver’s license and fines between $15 and $25.
• 10 to 25 MPH above the speed limit leads to 4 points on your license and fines of up to $200.
• 20 to 25 MPH above the speed limit may be charged as reckless driving. This can result in up to 30 days in jail, fines, and 6 points on your driver’s license.

Points may also be added to your license for driving without proper caution in dangerous weather conditions or on uneven and unsafe roads. Luckily, after 1 year, license points are reduced by half. However, serious or multiple offenses within a year might mean automatic suspension. Offenses that will result in a suspended license include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Two reckless driving charges within 5 years
• Letting someone drive your car for street racing

How Can an Attorney Help Me With a Traffic Ticket?

Working with an attorney gives you the greatest chance of avoiding consequences, such as license suspension, jail time, and fines. An attorney can listen to the circumstances of your case and begin to prepare your defense. They may be able to:

• Get the ticket dismissed.
• Have the ticket reduced or rewritten to reduce or limit the points and fines.
• Argue for a lesser traffic offense that will avoid jail time or license suspension.
• Try the case in a jury trial in the magistrate or city court.

Depending on the type of ticket, hiring an attorney may be less expensive than paying the traffic ticket, and you can avoid additional penalties. If you have enough points on your license, you could:

• Receive a warning from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Be labeled a habitual traffic offender.
• Lose your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• See your insurance premiums increase.

Traffic Ticket Attorneys FAQs

Q: How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Your Record in South Carolina?

A: Minor traffic violations that are not charged as crimes do not go on a criminal record. However, traffic violation penalties include points on your driver’s license. After 1 year, these points are reduced by half. They disappear after two years. If a driver wants to erase the points on their license sooner, they can take certain state-approved courses to have them removed.

Q: How Do I Fight a Traffic Ticket in South Carolina?

A: To fight a traffic ticket, you have to appear at the court hearing and work with a traffic ticket attorney. In some situations, the judge will allow you to take certain driver’s educational courses to reduce or negate the penalties of the ticket. This option is only available to an individual once. If this option isn’t available to you, an attorney may pursue some of the following defenses:

• There was no posted speed limit.
• Your speed was necessary or occurred because of an emergency.
• The speed radar used by the police officer was faulty.
• Your speedometer was inaccurate, and you genuinely believed that you were following the speed limit.

Q: How Much Does a Traffic Ticket Lawyer Cost in South Carolina?

A: The average hourly rate for a traffic offense attorney in South Carolina is $304 an hour. However, in some cases, an attorney will charge a flat fee, especially if your case is fairly straightforward. The exact rate an attorney charges will depend on their location and experience as well as how complex your particular case is. Always discuss fee structures with your attorney prior to hiring them.

Q: Do You Have to Go to Court for a Ticket in South Carolina?

A: You can pay the ticket to avoid having a court hearing, but doing so will mean that you admit guilt for the offense. In addition to the fine, this results in points on your license. In severe cases, it may also result in jail time or the suspension of your license. Once you have paid the ticket, there is no way to contest the charges, and you must deal with the court’s consequences. Always talk with an experienced traffic ticket attorney before paying a ticket.

Contact Axelrod & Associates

If you’ve been issued a traffic ticket, contact Axelrod & Associates. We can help you determine your legal options for protecting your license.