Attorney
If you get a traffic ticket in Massachusetts, you might want to just pay the fine and move on. However, one can contest traffic tickets, and a lawyer can help you avoid the worst consequences of traffic infractions, which could include fines, license suspensions, and other penalties. For example, an attorney could argue that the police did not follow appropriate procedures when they initially pulled you over and wrote the ticket. Below are some main reasons you should work with a traffic ticket attorney in Massachusetts.
Get Rid of the Fine
Most traffic tickets in Massachusetts carry some kind of fine, which can range between $100 and $500, depending on the offense. If you wait too long to pay a ticket, you can also receive additional penalties for each late payment day. A single ticket might not seem like much of a big deal, but multiple tickets can pile up, leaving you owing thousands to the state. A traffic attorney can fight to remove these tickets from your record, getting rid of any fines. Once you send money off with the ticket, you are admitting guilt, so you need to talk with an attorney beforehand to get the fine removed.
Accrue Fewer Insurance Points
Massachusetts uses what’s called the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) to lower safe drivers’ insurance premiums and raise risky drivers’ premiums. If you get a traffic ticket, you will get a number of points that insurance companies can use to increase your premiums. SDIP merit ratings apply to four types of coverage:
- Bodily injury
- Personal injury protection
- Property damage
- Collision
In other words, if you get a traffic ticket, your insurance premiums will go up. If an attorney can get the ticket removed, your insurance premiums will stay static. If you manage to keep your driving record clean for at least five years, you can get an excellent driver discount on your premiums and pay less per month.
Avoid the License Suspension
If you have received multiple tickets in the past, a subsequent one can cause the state to suspend your license. For instance, if you receive three speeding tickets within a 12-month period, you will receive a 30-day license suspension. If you receive up to three surchargeable events (events that add SDIP points) within two years, you will have to complete a National Safety Council program or face a license suspension until the completion of the program. If you receive seven surchargeable events within three years, you will receive a 60-day license suspension. For more than 12 surchargeable events within five years, you will receive a four-year license suspension.
A license suspension can wreak havoc on your life and impact your ability to hold employment, especially if you work in a position where driving is a core job duty. An attorney can fight against any tickets that could result in a suspension, preserving your driving privileges and preventing you from having to take any safety courses or programs.
Contact a Worcester County Traffic Ticket Attorney Today
Traffic tickets might seem like no big deal, but accumulating them can lead to serious civil, administrative, and even criminal penalties. Even if the ticket is minor, you should still consider talking with a lawyer. The attorneys at Geraghty Law LLC have extensive experience working with traffic law cases and can argue to remove any outstanding tickets from your driving record. What’s more, we offer free consultations, so learning more about your rights and options comes at no cost to you. Contact us online or call today to speak to a traffic ticket attorney in Worcester, and let’s discuss your next steps together.
