Q: I received a ticket for 81 in a 55. Do I need a lawyer? I can't afford a 1,500 fine or a suspended license. Help!
I haven't had a ticket in 16 yrs. What do I do to make this go away?
A: If u have had only 1 traffic ticket in 16 yrs, then this one will not result in your license being suspended. You should talk to a lawyer in the county where you received a ticket for legal advice.
1 user found this answer helpful
A: Speeding 26+ is a misdemeanor offense. Specifically, speeding 26-34 is a Class B misdemeanor. There are a number of possibilities but there are ways to increase the odds of a favorable outcome. For example, an attorney may be able to negotiate a reduction to a petty traffic violation without a conviction (i.e. court supervision). Because you do not have any other violations within the last year, a license suspension is extremely unlikely (an attorney can verify by checking your record).
1 user found this answer helpful
A:
Hello Asker,
First, let me put your mind at ease. The $1,500 fine portion is what is known as a bond. It is a tool designed to ensure you appear in court. Basically, that amount is the maximum amount for a fine if you fail to appear. In such a case, the court is empowered to enter a judgment for that amount. They may also issue a warrant.
As others have mentioned, this is a serious violation as it constitutes a criminal misdemeanor and can give you a criminal record. It can also severely damage your driving privileges if you receive another ticket. Lastly, it can drastically increase your insurance rates or cause your insurance company to drop you.
For that reason, I do agree with my fellow attorneys that you should speak to an attorney for a free consultation to see what options you have. With that said, the good news is that this ticket is not going to suspend your license on its own SO LONG AS you attend court. At your age, you must receive at least 2 tickets to suspend your license for an offense of this type. With that said, failing to address this in an effective manner can make a long suspension in the future a very real possibility as you would have to keep your record clean for as much as 2 years to prevent a suspension if you are convicted of this ticket.
In short, I think you would be well served speaking to an attorney with a parent or guardian participating in the conversation as they will be part of this process given your age.
I hope that helps and let us know if you have any additional questions!
Sincerely,
Jason A. Wilkins
Traffic Attorney
(630) 445-2293
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