Fight MN Traffic Ticket - Hearing Officer (Explained)

One of the most popular questions I get is: Do I really need a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer to help me fight a traffic ticket?

Sure, sometimes it just makes sense to pay the fine for a minor speeding, an illegal turn, or running a red light citation. If you have a good driving record and you are ticketed or a minor infraction, chances are the fine will not be excessive. The judge may even decide on a reduced penalty without any defense statement from you. You should also look at options offered in some areas such as deferment --- from a hearing officer.

On the other hand, a major infraction such as Minnesota Drunk Driving arrest can cost you thousands of dollars in fines, increased car insurance rates, and fees associated with the reinstatement of your driving privileges. In that case - an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney may be able to save you an enormous amount of money. Some of the savings are realized years down the road.

A Couple of Reasons Why You Might Want to Hire a Lawyer to Fight a Traffic Ticket

1. Reducing Or Eliminating The Fine

A serious moving violation may carry a penalty of as much as $1,000. If you already have a clean driving record - don't you want to keep it that way?  An attorney working on your behalf may be able to work out a deal with the court - to keep this ticket off of your record too.

2. Arguing The Citation

If the alleged infraction is serious and you believe you are innocent, hiring a lawyer to represent you may save you a great deal of money. Lawyers with experience in Minnesota traffic court matters may successfully argue that the citation was unwarranted. In the end, the only cost you pay is for the services of your legal representative

3. Preventing Insurance Rate Hikes

If you have one or two violations on record, your latest infraction could have a very damaging impact on your insurance premiums. An attorney may be able to successfully defend you against the charge, eliminating the increased insurance costs.

A major traffic violation could result in a fine and a huge hike in insurance rates over the next two years. The money you spend on a lawyer - although a HIT now could end up being money saved over the long term.

Now What?

What can it hurt to at least speak to a lawyer?  Many, like myself, offer a free consultations in order to gather facts concerning your case. Seriously, there are usually one or two key points I like to know in order to determine if you have a chance of beating a traffic ticket in court. Sure, I can't guarantee that you will be able to have a traffic citation thrown out in court - or that the  Nor can fine will be reduced to zero. However, having had been a prosecutor myself - I have a lot of experience in using that "insider's" knowledge to earn my clients the outcomes they're seeking Call the Rolloff Law Office today to get FREE answers: (612) 234-1165.

Minnesota DWI Effects (Explained)

Many of my clients are anxious to know how a DWI conviction will effect them, and for how long. The concern is that it not only limits your ability to drive --- but it also impacts your employment opportunities, effects insurance rates, carries with it a social stigma, gives you a criminal record, and acts as a "prior" for future DWI charges (heaven forbid.)  As a former prosecutor, and (now) as an expreienced Minnesota DWI Attorney, I have worked on thousands of case ... no two are ever the same, but one thing satys the same: A good defense can help clear the path for less problems in the future.

What You Need to Know

In Minnesota a DWI conviction will stay on your record for life ... and over the next 10 years (after such a conviction goes in against you) it can really cause problems.  Example: a second DWI within that 10 year period dramatically increases the penalties (criminal  and civil) you face if convicted again, and a fourth DWI within the 10 year period is a felony, punishable by sending you to prison.  
I have been successful in negotiating with prosecutors to reduce a DWI charge to a Careless Driving or even a non-alcohol related Reckless driving conviction under certain circumstances. (A lot of this depends on the facts of your case ... but, there is a good amount of wiggleroom (and things you can do to be the person worthy of such a result) but when it happens, it reduces the time a conviction may stay on your record ... even affording you a chance to have the matter Expunged.)  I can also help you to be able to help you keep your drivers license, and lessen the impact on your insurance.

If you want to avoid having a DWI on your record for life, call the Rolloff Law Office to schedule an appointment. I will review the facts of the case and see what if any negotiations can be done to reduce your conviction. Call to set up a free consultation: (612) 234-1165

Minnesota Speeding Ticket (Explained)

Every Minnesota driver is expected to use due care when operating a vehicle. This means, among other things, obeying all posted speed limits. A driver who exceeds the speed limit can be pulled over and fined.  If you have received a ticket --- and youwant to keep it off of your record --- call an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.  The money you spend now ... will be money you save in the future.  

Speed limits

In Minnesota Speed limits are usually designated by traffic signs. If no speed limit is posted, these are the lawful speeds at which to drive:

• 30 mph in an urban area or on a town road in a rural residential district
• 65 mph on non-interstate freeways and expressways
• 70 mph on interstate highways outside the limits of any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000
• 65 mph on interstate highways inside the limits of any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000
• 10 mph in alleys
• 55 mph in locations other than those specified above

Penalties

The basic fines for speeding in Minnesota depend on how far over the limit the driver was speeding --- the maximum can be almost $400.  In addition to the fine, penalties for speeding/moving violations increase as more tickets are issued. 

A person’s driver’s license will be suspended for:

• 30 days, if the person is convicted of:
  • Four traffic offenses within a 12-month period
  • Five traffic offenses within a 24-month period
• 90 days, if the person is convicted of:
  • Five traffic offenses within a 12-month period
  • Six traffic offenses within a 24-month period
• 180 days, if the person is convicted of seven traffic offenses within a 24-month period
• One year, if the person is convicted of eight or more traffic offenses within a 24-month period.

Minnesota Speeding Attorneys

In all Minnesota speeding cases, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to prove that the defendant broke the law by exceeding the speed limit. There are a number of possible ways to defend speeding violations. Perhaps the officer’s radar was improperly operated and gave an inaccurate result, or maybe the officer did not have sufficient training to use the radar gun. 

The Rolloff Law Office can analyze your case and partner with you to craft a strategy for successful defense and keep your speeding violations off of your permanent record.  Call today: (612) 234-1165.

Minnesota Minor Consumption (Explained)

Despite the misconception that "everyone does it," consumption of alcohol by minors is taken very seriously in the State of Minnesota by the juvenile justice system. Whether you are a parent seeking help for your child or you are a student who was caught drinking on campus, it is important to seek out the advice of an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.

At the Rolloff Law Office, we represent juveniles against charges of minor consumption as well as underage Drunk Driving. She takes a all-encompassing approach to these issues, representing clients' legal best interests while also helping them obtain any needed help for substance abuse or other personal issues. 

Protecting the Rights of Juveniles

Having had been a kid myself ... and one who got himself into a wee-bit of trouble ... I understand the nuances associated with juvenile cases. Having had work both as a juvenile prosecutor and a defense attorney I get the complexity of the juvenile justice system.  I also have a fairly solid grasp on its resources and the programs that are available to minors who have committed a crime. 

I work  to absolve my clients of criminal penalties as well as to protect their charges from being part of the public record. Many attorneys who do not focus on juvenile law fail to understand that both issues are important, as felonies — even after being negotiated down — will remain public unless they are dealt with properly.

In the end, I appreciate that minors are children, not adults, and need to be treated as such. As such, they should be given a chance to resolve issues rather than have their reputations/futures ruined.  I'll  work with the state and the judge to develop a program that is best suited to meet the needs of the minor and that will allow the best chance for a successful future.

At the Rolloff Law Office, your child will be treated like an individual, not a legal problem. For a free initial consultation*, contact me today: (612) 234-1165 to set up a FREE CONSULTATION.

Avoid a Minnesota Speeding Ticket

All too often, I get calls "after the fact" - that is after someone gets a ticket.  For those of you hoping to avoid making a call to an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, here are some helpful suggestions about how to avoid getting a speeding citation.


1. Never Admit That You Were Speeding
If you do get pulled over, if I can offer you one suggestion --- Never admit that you were speeding. You don't want to give the cops any ammunition to use against you if you want to challenge your ticket in the future.  So, when the officer tells you that you are speeding, giving a brief, noncommittal response like, "I see" or "I was not aware of my speed" is the best course of action.  (Not the best way to go: sarcastically asking - "What's the problem, Officer?" won't help you.)


2. Know That Your Vehicle Says Something About You


Most officers decide whether you're getting a ticket or a warning before they even approach your vehicle. A good rule of thumb is to keep your car maintained in such a way that you wouldn't be embarrassed to drive it to a job interview. Keep it clean, decluttered, and free of bumper stickers that are anti-police or pro-violence. Also, don't have any aftermarket add-ons like spoilers, tinted windows, and neon undercarriage lights. You want to say "I'm responsible and law-abiding," not "I hate the police, I speed all the time, and I'm trying to hide something from you."

3. Plead Not Guilty, and Continue out Your Court Date as Many Times As You Can


The more time you put between your speeding encounter and your court date, the better.  This about it, just how many people does an officer pulls over in a month. How many of them do you think they'll remember two or even six months from now, especially if you take your ticket quietly and move on? The more continuances you can reasonably request, the more time you have to collect your evidence and prepare your defense — and the less specific that officer's recollection of you will be. Getting a continuance also increases the probability that the ticketing officer retires, transfers to another department, or just doesn't show up for your court date. In almost all of these extenuating situations, the case against you will be dropped.

If you think you need help with a traffic ticket - you probably do need help.  Call the Rolloff Law Office today at (612) 234-1165 to get FREE Answers.

Minnesota Traffic Tickets & Insurance (Explained)

The number one reason I hear - over and over again - when it comes to people seeking assistance with Minnesota Traffic Tickets is because they don't want it to impact their insurance premiums. 

Well, believe it or not ... your insurance company is thinking the same thing --- if a recent call I had with an insurance agent is any indication. 

The Call

I often tell individuals I've heard it all - and time after time I'm surprised.  The same goes for this recent call --- an insurance agent wanting to talk with a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to help their clients to get out of their speeding tickets?

Here's what I learned ... the philosophy that this company takes toward their clients is truly one of partnership. People are required to have car insurance to drive, but this particular company doesn't feel like it is responsible to hold it's clients hostage for a minor traffic ticket, nor do they feel like it's good business to encourage their clients to hide their driving from them in hopes of keeping their premiums lower.This company, which specializes in low risk drivers, has found that their customers are more satisfied with their service and actually drive better knowing they can turn to their insurer if anything should happen.

After the Call

This whole interaction got me to thinking about what, exactly, a car insurance company should do for you. Are they in the business just to make money off of your premiums and then make it as difficult as possible for you if you ever get into an accident? Or, are they a trusted part of your team trusted to help you if and when the need arises? And, if it's the latter, is the best way to create that relationship by encouraging an open dialogue with the client?

Should You Tell Your Insurance Company About Your Traffic Ticket?

One thing I learned from this call was that not everyone should tell their insurance company about their speeding ticket. Some companies are required, as part of their policy, to flag your account for that. Most of those companies are nationally known (I don't know which ones specifically do that, I just know that some do). By calling them, you are setting yourself up for higher premiums, even after you hire a traffic attorney to beat your ticket.

All of the above being said, there is a lesson to be learned for all of us. The company I met with is locally owned and operated. They don't have thousands and thousands of employees. They aren't publicly traded. Making money is important to them, but it's not the only thing. There's something to be said for that. Remember that when you're looking around for help. Test out the local options. You might pay slightly more, but what you get in return could be well worth the price.

What Next?

This isn't an insurance company and I don't talk to your insurance companies about my client traffic tickets. But, like this insurance company, I value my relationships with them and I want to keep in touch with everyone of them during those times they need me - and when they don't.  If you want to know that your attorney has your best interest at heart - when your case is going on and after --- then call the Rolloff Law Office today - (612) 234-1165. And, if you need a kick-ass Minnesota Traffic Lawyer, call me --- I'll do whatever I can to beat your traffic ticket, saving you money on the fine and increased insurance premiums.