Traffic Lawyer Wythe County, VA
When you have received a traffic ticket, it is time to get the help of a traffic lawyer Wythe County, VA residents have relied on for years from The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt. You may be concerned that there is no hope to get your traffic ticket reduced or dismissed. In fact, it’s only a traffic ticket. Do you even need a lawyer? Our team has helped many clients in the past with their traffic tickets get their charges reduced or dropped completely. While there is no guarantee of a specific outcome, we believe that you should be fully prepared when you go to court and you should never plead guilty outright. If you would like to see how our traffic lawyer can help you, give our office a call now.
Should I go to traffic school and pay the ticket?
This can be hard because you may feel that if you sign up for traffic school and pay your traffic ticket, you can move on with your life. In fact, the police officer who charged you may urge you to pay the ticket or you may feel that it is what the court wants you to do. We encourage our clients to fight. You have the right to have your voice heard when it comes to a traffic ticket. It is up to the prosecution to show that you are guilty of the charges.
Don’t assume you will be convicted of the charges. Instead, fight to get your charges dismissed. When this happens, you do not have to worry about traffic school, fines, or points on your driving record.
Can I do this on my own?
It is possible to win on your own. In some cases, the police officer who charged you with a traffic ticket may not show up to court and your case will be dropped. However, you cannot rely on this happening and you should not rely on any knowledge you read on the internet to get you through court. Instead, when you have help from a Wythe County, Virginia traffic lawyer, you know you are getting the representation you need from a team who has defended many people in your situation.
The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt Can Defend Your Rights After a Traffic Arrest
You may not know your rights when stopped by police in Wythe County for traffic violations. The ACLU Virginia outlines driver rights during traffic stops and recommends how you should respond.
Remain Silent
Officers may ask a series of questions about what you are doing and where you are going. The only information you are required to provide is your ID.
Right to Record
You have the right to ask the officer to record the interaction and they cannot deny your request. Bystanders can also capture the incident on a cell phone as long as they don’t interfere with the interaction, or try to hide the filming. Police cannot confiscate any cameras or cell phones by witnesses who have openly recorded the traffic stop proceedings.
Police Cannot Assume Criminal Activity
Because of new 2021 laws, Virginia police are prohibited from conducting searches of vehicles based on minor traffic violations. Evidence of additional criminal activity is not admissible in court if Wythe County drivers are stopped for the following issues:
- Expired registration or inspection
- Marijuana odor
- Loud exhaust
- Dark-tinted windows
- Dangling objects
- Refuse a Search
Police are prohibited from conducting searches unless an obvious indicator of criminal activity is visible. For example, if a driver has an open container of alcohol or illegal substances, the police can perform a thorough search of the vehicle. If the examination is conducted without any other violations besides the traffic issue, the search is illegal. Don’t argue or hinder police, but expect your traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, to address the illegal search in court.
As of 2021, it is legal in Virginia to possess an ounce or less of marijuana. However, drivers cannot have any containers of marijuana in the console or interior area of their cars. A traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, recommends not traveling with weed. If you need to travel with marijuana, store it in the vehicle’s trunk.
Know the Reason for Your Arrest and Detainment
If you ask the police why you are being arrested, they need to tell you the reason. If you are not under arrest, you can depart the scene without violations. Politely ask the officer if you can leave.
Call an Experienced Traffic Lawyer at the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt
Detainees have the right to make one phone call. Keep in mind that police will monitor any calls to friends and family; however, they cannot listen to conversations with attorneys. Contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, to manage your case and arrange for your bail.
If you have been charged with a traffic ticket and would like better odds at getting your charges reduced or dropped, speak with the traffic lawyer in Wythe County, Virginia from The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt.
Important Do’s and Don’ts If You’re Ever Stopped by the Police
While on your way from point A to point B, you notice flashing red and blue lights somewhere behind you in the distance. You get a sinking feeling especially as the lights get closer and closer until they’re directly behind you. There’s nothing you can do legally to avoid being stopped by the police, so consider the following do’s and don’ts.
Do Turn On Your Blinkers
Turning on your blinkers accomplishes two things. First, it lets the officer know that you’re aware that you need to pull over and that is your intent. It also lets other drivers know that you are the one who needs to stop, allowing them to give you and the officer a wide berth to get off the road.
Do Find a Safe Place To Pull Over
It’s important to find a safe place for both you and the officer to park vehicles. On a highway or interstate, this could be the right side of the road, provided both cars can get all the way off the road safely. If there’s a driveway or business located ahead that you can pull into, it’s usually fine for you to slowly head there before stopping. Never pull over to the left side of a road or highway, even if there is a median.
Do Turn Off the Engine and Stay Inside
After you’ve parked, turn off the engine and stay inside your car awaiting further instructions. Do not leave your car as this may be interpreted as threatening. A traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, would recommend that you leave your seatbelt on and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Don’t go looking for your driver’s license, insurance and registration info until the officer requests it.
Don’t Offer Unsolicited Information
You may be nervous or feel like you can talk your way out of a ticket. While you should be polite, oversharing may make you stand out to the officer, which could work against you. Only respond to what’s been asked of you and nothing more. This is not a job interview. Avoid oversharing.
Don’t Admit or Refute Allegations
Your words can always be used against you, so your best bet here is to remain quiet. Don’t agree with what the cop is alleging, but don’t argue either. That’s a debate that you won’t win. Be attentive and respectful, especially if the officer decides to lecture you about the potential traffic violation. Resist the urge to beg. If you’re released with just a warning, thank the officer. If you’re issued a ticket, know that you have options for which a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, can provide assistance.
Common Myths About Speeding
Many drivers get busted for speeding because they harbor myths about getting charged. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt are well versed in these misconceptions and can help untangle why an otherwise rule-abiding citizen winds up in the crosshairs of the law.
You’re Not Speeding if You Match the Flow of Traffic
Simply because you’re going no faster than those around you does not mean an officer cannot issue a citation. If you are driving above the speed limit, you can be found guilty. Even if you are not the only one moving at a high rate of speed when you’re issued a ticket, you should seek the services of a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA.
You’re Only Getting a Ticket Because Officers Have Quotas
Some police departments must issue a certain number of speeding tickets within a given period. That said, most do not; those that do require few. Therefore, officers have little trouble finding enough legitimate violators to meet their mandates.
You’re Driving Safely When Environmental Conditions Allow
Motorists sometimes believe breaking the speed limit is acceptable when roads are dry. Just because the sun is shining and there’s no snow or ice on the ground doesn’t mean speed cannot play a role in causing an accident. Speak with a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, and learn more about why good weather isn’t a solid defense.
You’re Automatically Let Go if Information on the Ticket Is Wrong
Simply because the officer who wrote your ticket made a mistake doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Spelling your name wrong, for instance, isn’t enough to absolve you of wrongdoing. If, however, your ticket is missing vital information or contains a major error, a judge could waive your conviction. Let the legal wizards at the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt determine whether this is the case for you.
You’re Not Going To Get Jail Time
Speeding may not be the crime of the century. Nevertheless, reckless driving causes accidents that trigger major physical injuries. For this reason, courts take violations seriously, especially when considering repeat offenders. You need a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA defending you if there’s the slightest possibility of getting placed behind bars.
People want to drive fast. It’s because of this that rationalizations take hold. By accepting these untruths, speeders excuse themselves for their reckless behavior. Disabuse yourself of these myths and keep in mind the importance of always obeying traffic laws.
Making Decisions About How to Move Forward After a Traffic Ticket
Traffic tickets can be frustrating, and many people don’t realize that they have the option to access the services of a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA, for assistance. For some, the process of dealing with a traffic ticket can seem like a real nuisance; for others, there can be steep consequences on the line. Most will want to know whether there’s a way they can avoid traffic court altogether. While there are options available, it’s in your best interest to consider speaking with The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt for a clear strategy for how best to manage the process. When drivers facing traffic infractions talk with a legal professional, they can understand the consequences they are facing and whether there is a way to mitigate them.
Can Traffic Court Be Avoided?
Most people who have received a traffic ticket would like to avoid the process of going to court. As a result, some will pay the fine and move on. Others may be looking to fight the ticket in hopes of having it dismissed or the potential consequences mitigated. While, in some cases, it may be possible to avoid court, it’s crucial to have a clear picture of the options:
First- Speak with a Lawyer
If you would like to dispute the ticket, it may be in your best interest to first speak with a lawyer to understand how best to proceed. Should you choose to fight the ticket with the representation of our Wythe County, Virginia traffic lawyer, it may be possible to have them represent you at court in your place.
Fight the Ticket
As mentioned, a lawyer can represent you in court should you choose to fight the ticket in court. There are several reasons to consider fighting a traffic ticket. Keep in mind that a traffic ticket will appear on your driving record, and, as a result, there may be consequences to this. When a driver fights their traffic ticket with a lawyer, they have the opportunity to reduce these consequences and may be able to have the ticket dismissed.
Pay the Ticket
The other option is to pay for the ticket. However, it’s important to keep in mind that when you do this, you are admitting guilt, meaning, in addition to paying the fine, the driver will face additional points on their record and even increased insurance costs. Typically when you pay the fine, you will no longer have to attend the court date. However, the driver must pay the ticket before the court date arrives.
Although fighting the ticket may not feel like it’s worth the trouble, at times, it may be necessary to reduce the risk of points on your license, especially when these points put a driver at risk for losing their license or, worse, license suspension.
If this is your first driving infraction, chances are the consequences won’t be as steep as they may be for someone who has already accumulated several tickets. But, when a person has got multiple points on their license, they may be looking at more significant consequences than the fine associated with the ticket. Depending upon the driving violation, points can range from 1-8 points. When a driver receives more than 12 points on their driving record in 12 months, they risk having their license suspended. As you may realize, points can add up quickly, and further consequences can include increased insurance rates, more significant fines, and traffic school. The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt can help drivers face such consequences by providing them with their options and representing them in the way they deserve. Do not hesitate to contact a traffic lawyer in Wythe County, VA to learn more.
