Longs Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Longs Traffic Ticket Attorney

For many people, traffic tickets simply are a financial annoyance, and they are unaware that it’s beneficial to contest these tickets. When you don’t contest a traffic ticket, even a minor offense could lead to a traffic court date, fines, points on your driving record, or even a license suspension. Your traffic ticket may be for speeding, moving violations, or reckless driving. When you pay the fine for these tickets, you admit guilt. If you’ve received a traffic citation or ticket in Longs, SC you want to begin working with an attorney who has the experience to contest and mitigate the penalties of a ticket.

Axelrod & Associates: Legal Defense Against Traffic Tickets

Successfully defending traffic tickets requires legal experience and care. At Axelrod & Associates, we have proudly served our community in the Longs area, working efficiently to eliminate or minimize the penalties associated with traffic tickets. Our team has over 100 years of collective legal experience across different fields. We use our experience to help you navigate your court hearing and make informed choices regarding your traffic offenses. We want to be upfront with you about your situation while working toward the ideal outcome for the hearing.

Longs Traffic Tickets

Traffic tickets can be issued for several offenses, including:

• Speeding
• Careless operation of a vehicle
• Reckless and/or distracted driving
• Driving without driver’s insurance
• Out-of-state driver traffic offenses
• Driving on a suspended or revoked license
• Traffic ordinance violations
• Moving violations
• Failure to yield the right-of-way
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Passing a stopped school bus

Not every traffic ticket needs to be contested, but it’s frequently beneficial to avoid penalties. When you’re issued a ticket, you should contact a Longs traffic ticket attorney. They can help you determine whether contesting the ticket is the right choice in your given circumstances and inform you of the legal options available. If you do contest the ticket, your attorney can represent you in court, increasing the chances of a successful defense.

Speeding Ticket Penalties in Longs

Speeding tickets are one of the most common traffic offenses. When you get a speeding ticket, it comes with fines and points added to your license. A fine can either be an inconvenience or financially harmful. Points on your licenses have greater consequences.

South Carolina law considers several factors for the penalties associated with a speeding ticket, but the most influential factor is how far over the speed limit the driver was going. The penalties for speeding are:

• 10 miles per hour (MPH) over the speed limit: This results in fines between $15 and $25, and 2 points on your driver’s license.
• 10 to 25 MPH above the speed limit: This carries fines of up to $200 and 4 points on your driver’s license.
• 25 to 30 MPH above the speed limit: This can be charged as reckless driving. It carries penalties including up to 30 days in jail, 6 points on your driver’s license, and up to $445 in fines.

If you reach 12 points on your driver’s license, it is suspended. Other offenses, like failing to drive with proper care for the road conditions, can lead to points on your license. You can also get traffic charges for driving only a few miles over the speed limit.

After 1 year, the points on your license are halved. This can help you avoid a license suspension. However, there are certain offenses that lead to the automatic suspension of your license. This includes driving under the influence (DUI), allowing another person to street race with your car, or being charged with two reckless driving offenses in 5 years.

Traffic Ticket Lawyer FAQs

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

A: In some first-offense traffic offense cases, the judge will let you take a driver’s education course to limit or negate the offense’s sentence. On another traffic offense, this option is no longer available. Your traffic offense attorney may consider some of the following defenses to attempt to get the offense dismissed or mitigated:

• No speed limit was posted.
• Your speeding was needed or because of an emergency.
• The officer’s speed radar was inaccurate.
• Your speedometer was uncalibrated, and you honestly thought that you were going the speed limit.

An experienced attorney can review your unique traffic offense to determine which defenses may apply.

Q: Should I Get a Lawyer for a Speeding Ticket in South Carolina?

A: Many individuals believe that a speeding ticket or other traffic citation is a minor offense that they have to deal with. This isn’t the case. In some situations, the penalties for a speeding ticket can be limited or avoided. An attorney is a vital resource in ensuring that you are fully informed about your legal options. They can advise you on a wise course of action, negotiate your sentencing, and represent you in court as needed.

Q: Is It Worth Fighting a Speeding Ticket in South Carolina?

A: When you don’t fight a speeding ticket or traffic ticket and simply pay the fine, you are admitting guilt. You may also face additional consequences beyond ticket fines, including: 

• Court costs
• Points on your license
• A potential increase in your insurance rates
• The possibility of your license being suspended

An attorney can advise you whether it is worth fighting your speeding ticket based on your unique situation. In many cases, contesting a speeding ticket can lessen or remove the penalties.

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

A: In South Carolina, the average hourly rate for a traffic ticket and offense attorney is $304. An hourly cost depends on an attorney’s experience and how complicated your particular case is, among other factors. For simple traffic offenses, an attorney may instead charge a flat fee. Before you hire an attorney, you should always discuss their fee structure and billing for your case.

Contact Axelrod & Associates

If you’ve been issued a traffic ticket in Longs, SC, don’t pay it. Contact Axelrod & Associates. We can review the ticket and the circumstances of the offense to determine the legal options for defending your license and mitigating the penalties.