Indianapolis Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Why Hire Our Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Indianapolis?
If you were recently cited for a traffic violation, you might be considering just paying the ticket. However, you might be unaware of the consequences, and you could be forfeiting your right to contest the charges against you. Before paying the ticket, contact The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why Shouldn’t I Just Pay the Ticket?
It might seem like the easiest thing to simply pay the ticket and move on. However, doing so can bring about major consequences. When you pay a ticket, you are agreeing that you are guilty of committing a traffic offense. You are relieving law enforcement of the responsibility of proving that you did what they say you did. Some traffic violations involve criminal offenses and can jeopardize your freedom.
Possible penalties of paying a ticket could include:
- Fines: You can face hefty fines and other monetary penalties for traffic violations.
- Points on your driver’s license: Points can be added to your driver’s license when you pay a traffic ticket.
- Loss of driving privileges: If you accumulate 18 points on your driving record within a two-year period, your license may be suspended.
- Increased insurance rates: Insurance companies often penalize individuals who have been cited with higher insurance premiums because they view them as riskier drivers.
- Effects on employment: Certain jobs require maintaining a clean driving record. If you work as a commercial driver, delivery driver, or in another profession where driving is a primary component of your work, you could risk losing your job if you pay the ticket.
- Status as a habitual traffic offender: If you have too many traffic violations over a ten-year period, you can be charged as a Habitual Traffic Violator, which can result in losing your driving privileges for five years to a lifetime.
An experienced criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis from our elite criminal defense law firm can evaluate your situation and explain what your options are.
Common Traffic Violations in Indianapolis
Some of the most common traffic offenses charged in Indianapolis include the following:
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
If you are involved in an accident, Indiana law requires you to evaluate whether anyone needs medical help, help other accident victims to the best of your ability, report the accident to law enforcement, remain at the scene, and provide authorities with your name, address, and insurance information. If you fail to perform these legal duties, you can be charged with the crime of leaving the scene of an accident.
Driving on a Suspended License
Driver’s licenses can be suspended for various reasons, including accumulating too many points, not paying child support, or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving on a suspended license can result in a charge of a Class A misdemeanor and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, eight points are added to your license.
Speeding
The number of points added to your driver’s license after pleading guilty to a speeding violation depends on how fast you were going over the speed limit. If you were speeding more than 25 mph over the speed limit, six points are assessed. Four points are assessed when speeding 16-25 mph over the speed limit, and speeding 1-15 mph over the speed limit results in two points.
Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
Running a red light or stop sign can result in four points added to your driver’s license.
Note that if you are also caught driving under the influence during a traffic violation, your charges may be heavier, so contact our DUI lawyer in Indianapolis to learn more.
Contact Our Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Indianapolis for a Free Consultation
Call The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC at (317) 687-8326 to discuss your legal options following a traffic ticket.