How to Fight an Unfair Traffic Ticket
In Las Vegas, even a simple traffic or speeding ticket can have severe consequences. In addition to facing steep fines and points on your record, a traffic ticket can also result in a significant hike in your insurance premiums. Depending on the specific offense with which you are charged, pleading guilty or receiving a conviction can result in suspension of your driver’s license as well. For reckless driving offenses, you can even face time behind bars.
We regularly receive inquiries from Las Vegas residents and visitors about fighting their traffic tickets. Is it worth it? How do you dispute a traffic ticket? What can a lawyer do to help?
Do Not Ignore Your Traffic Ticket
The first thing to know is that you should always respond to your ticket. Even if you believe that your ticket is completely unwarranted, the last thing you want to do is simply ignore it. If you ignore your traffic ticket or miss your court date, the court will issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This can result in a suspension of your driver’s license, and can also affect your credit rating. Of course, you will still have your ticket to deal with as well.
Challenging Speeding and Other Tickets in Las Vegas
With the severe consequences of receiving a traffic ticket in Las Vegas, it almost always makes sense to fight your ticket as opposed to just mailing in a check. Even if you can afford the fine, remember that this is just one small piece of the overall impact of having a traffic conviction on your record. Depending on the nature of your citation – speeding, running a stop sign, reckless driving, etc. – there are numerous possible defenses that may be available.
Some possible ways to challenge traffic tickets include:
- Show up in court. Sometimes, showing up in court will be enough to defeat your ticket. This is because if you show up, the arresting officer must show up as well. You have a Constitutional right to confront your accuser, and if the officer is not present, you cannot exercise your rights.
- Dispute the accuracy or validity of your speed measurement. If your ticket is for speeding, you may be able to challenge the accuracy or validity of the arresting officer’s speed measurement. Speed guns must be appropriately calibrated and maintained, and there are various outside factors that can lead to inaccurate readings.
- Challenge the police officer’s observations or conclusions. While the police officer usually wins in cases of “he said, she said,” there are viable ways to challenge police officers’ observations and conclusions in court. Traffic cameras, witness testimony, and forensic evidence can all be used to effectively dispute police officers’ allegations.
- Identify Other Constitutional Violations. The police cannot stop you unless they have a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime, and they cannot arrest you or conduct a search without probable cause. If you were pulled over in violation of your Constitutional rights, the court may be forced to throw out the charges against you.
These are just a few of the most common examples of ways to successfully fight traffic tickets in Las Vegas. Depending on the facts of your case, there may be numerous other ways to challenge your ticket as well.
De Castroverde Law Group | Experienced Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Lawyers
At De Castroverde Law Group, our attorneys have decades of experience helping clients successfully fight traffic tickets. When you contact us we will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the best way to fight to have your charges dismissed. To discuss your situation, please contact us today.