Q: I am 17. Got a ticket going 30 over. Is it likely I will have to pay $1500 fine and should I hire a lawyer?
A:
Hello Asker,
You should consider hiring a lawyer. This is because it is considered a criminal misdemeanor and can give you a criminal record. You also have a lower chance of getting court supervision which would make it less visible to insurance companies. The danger here is that it may be a conviction which will not only affect your insurance rates but also cause this offense to show up in background checks performed by most employers. Lastly, it will make you much more likely to be suspended because if you receive a second conviction on a moving violation in the next 24 months, you will be suspended.
Fortunately, $1,500 is rarely the fine. I have, in my experience as a traffic attorney, only on one occasion seen a maximum fine applied. The number you see is not a fine but rather a bond amount. In effect, they allowed you to go home (rather than arrest you) in exchange for your promise to appear in court. Should you fail to appear, the court could issue a bond forfeiture judgment for that amount which is a fancy way of saying that you would be required to pay that amount. So long as you don't miss court, you do not have to worry about that number.
As I mentioned, due to the serious nature of this offense, you should definitely consider hiring a lawyer to help prevent a criminal conviction on your record. You should also make preparations to have a parent or guardian present in court with you if you will be under 18 on the date of court.
Hope that helps and let us know if you have any questions!
Sincerely,
Jason A. Wilkins
Traffic Attorney
(630) 445-2293
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