There is no reason to be ashamed if you receive a traffic ticket in New Orleans. New Orleans police have developed a reputation for being ticket-happy. The question is how to proceed after you have been ticketed. The worst thing you can do is ignore the ticket and assume everything will work out in your favor. Let’s take a look at the options you have after your vehicle has been ticketed.
Option 1: Do Nothing
Fail to pay or contest your ticket and it will reduce your quality of life in a number of ways. An unpaid ticket on your driving record is likely to spur higher monthly auto insurance premiums. It is also possible the failure to pay your traffic ticket will add points to your driver’s license. Avoid paying/contesting your traffic ticket long enough and your driver’s license will likely be suspended. In fact, the court might even issue a bench warrant to have you arrested.
Option 2: Pay the Ticket
The typical driver assumes he or she erred when behind the wheel as stated by the police officer. This is why most drivers are willing to pay their traffic ticket by the due date. However, paying a traffic ticket is an admission of guilt. If you pay your ticket, your auto insurance rate will likely increase. Furthermore, you might end up with points added to your driver’s license to boot. If you drive a vehicle for a living or are thinking about driving a truck, bus or car to make ends meet, it is important you minimize the number of points on your driving record. A single traffic ticket really does have the potential to jeopardize your source of income if you drive a vehicle for a living.
The salt in the wound is the fact that your bank account will take a meaningful hit when you fork over hundreds of dollars to compensate local government for your supposed wrongdoing. There is no sense paying the ticket if you even slightly question whether its issuance is justified. When in doubt, it is best to contest the ticket.
Option 3: Attempt to Make Your Case in Front of a Traffic Court Judge
A surprising number of people serve as their own “pro se” attorneys by appearing before a traffic court judge. Though you might have watched your fair share of legal dramas, the chances of successfully arguing yourself out of a traffic ticket in front of a judge are minimal. Though it is possible the judge will be sympathetic to your argument and possibly reduce your charge, there is no guarantee. In fact, most judges look down upon those who present disorganized and poorly crafted arguments in traffic court. There is also the matter of the time commitment necessary to combat a traffic ticket in court. It will take several hours to perform legal research, develop a halfway decent argument, drive to and from court, find parking spot and wait to make your case.
”“He who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.”
- Abraham Lincoln
Option 4: Contest the Ticket With the Assistance of an Experienced Traffic Ticket Attorney
Our traffic ticket attorneys have successfully fought thousands of traffic tickets. Though our services cost money, our fee is justified by the amount of money we save our clients. If you question the legitimacy of the traffic ticket, do not succumb to the government’s will. Let our traffic ticket attorneys analyze your ticket, put up a legal fight and get the ticket reduced or completely tossed.
In some situations, reducing the severity of the ticket to a lesser violation pays massive dividends. A lesser violation will prevent auto insurance rate hikes and the addition of multiple points to your driver’s license. However, you will have no idea of knowing whether it is possible to combat your traffic ticket unless you ask for assistance. Reach out to our legal team today to get the ball rolling on your case. Our mission is to clear your name, have the ticket reduced or eliminated and preserve your finances.
