Why You Should Always Call a MInnesota Traffic Ticket Attorney For Your Ticket

As an experienced Minnesota Traffic Ticket Attorney, I get loads and loads of questions about how much does a lawyer cost --- and is it worth it?  No doubt, these are legitimate questions.  And with just a few quick facts, you can get the right answers from almost any attorney that handles traffic tickets.  

Questions to Ask a Lawyer

How old is the ticket?  What's it for?  What county and/or city is it in?  These are likely to be the questions you will be asked by the Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney you contact, because these questions basically allow for a calculation of the amount of work that's involved. 

But when you are asking the questions of the attorney, should price be one of the first questions you ask?  Hardly, in fact, it should be the last.  Here's why.

To ask a question about price, you are assuming that traffic attorneys are like any other commodity.  You are wise to shop around for the lowest price - true; because regardless of what you pay for it, it is pretty much going to look, taste and quench your thirst exactly the same.  

However, Minnesota Traffic Lawyers are not just any product.   They come in all shapes and sizes (literally and figuratively).

What I mean by that, is some traffic lawyers are small one man/woman operations, and are usually cheaper/less expensive because they have less overhead.

Conversely, some firms are not one man/woman operations and appear to charge more.  Often, this goes more toward keeping them in their fancy offices ... profiting off of your misfortune.  

Granted, it's important that you not be penny wise and pound foolish ... and you shouldn't just hire a layer to save $10-$20 if doing so could be the difference between hundreds or thousands of dollars in higher court costs or higher insurance increases.  But, you only need to pay for what you need. 

As a former prosecutor, who has worked thousands of traffic tickets, I can give you a fair assessment of you case ... and I will only charge you for the work I do.  You will not be paying for my ego.   
  

Don't be afraid to get answers to your questions, before you spend your hard earned money.  Call or text the Rolloff Law Office - ANYTIME -  to get answers for ask these questions and any others: (612) 234-1165

How to Beat a Minnesota Speeding Ticket (Explained)

You just got a ticket ... and you can't have it go on your record, right?  An experienced Minnesota Traffic Ticket Lawyer an help you with that.

Defenses to a Speeding Ticket

There are many potential defenses to a speeding charge. Most people who get speeding tickets have a clean record over the previous five years.  

This is favorable.  

A person with a clean record has a better chance of getting an outcome such as a suspension of prosecution or stay of adjudication --- the kind of result that should keep their driving record clean,  Granted, it will come at a cost ... but it should actually save you money in the long run - see: increased insurance costs. 

The number-one non-lawyer mistake I have observed over my life as a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney is to focus on defenses rather than  the desired outcome.  

Keep your eye on the prize. 

Justice is not perfect in our imperfect world.  The laws are enforced and administered by humans.  If you are wrongly accused of a traffic offense, despite the B.S. of being falsely accused, it may be better to be willing to pay to keep the ticket off of your record - even if you are innocent.  That said, here is some discussion of defenses.

1.  Reasonable and Prudent.  Even if you were over the posted on the highway, was the speed reasonable and prudent? Intent can play a role here as well.  Relevant factors could include road conditions, traffic conditions, incline, mechanical issues, etc.

2.  Passing.

3.  Identity. Can the state prove that your vehicle was the one that was actually speeding?

4.  Excuse defenses.  Example: How about the person driving a heart attack victim, or woman in labor, to the emergency room?

5.  Evidentiary issues.  Can the government offer sufficent foundation or its speed evidence - ie., documents showing that the radar or laser/lidar was in fact working?  

6.  Impossibility.  Can a state trooper in a helicopter (with a stop watch) really assert that a motorcyclist was traveling significantly faster than the maximum top speed for that motorcycle?

I'm a former prosecutor who has participated in hundreds of Traffic Citation trials --- on one side or the other.  (I've even picked up a few tickets myself.)  Let me put my inside knowledge to work for you.  Call The Rolloff Law Office for a FREE CONSULTATION.  (612) 234-1165. 

Fight Your Minnesota Traffic Ticket (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 Traffic Tickets (Explained)

As a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, I get a lot of calls related to a traffic violation of one type of another.  Some of those calls are regarding more serious charges like Drunk Drivings and Careless or Reckless driving, but the vast majority reference smaller infractions, such as Speeding tickets and Stop Sign violations.  One of the questions people ask first is whether or not they really need a lawyer to help them deal with a traffic violation.  I'll try to give some straight forward and honest answers to this question and hopefully help people better understand what a Minnesota traffic attorney can do for them when faced with this type of issue.

Can a Lawyer Really Help

If you have been charged with a traffic violation that doubles as a misdemeanor charge (such as DWI, careless/reckless driving, hit-and-run, etc...), you definitely should look to hire a Minnesota Traffic Attorney.  Misdemeanor charges can carry with them a penalty of up to $1000 and 90 days in jail.  These types of offenses can also result in license suspensions or revocations, as well.  When you're dealing with penalties this severe, there is no "savings" to be realized by avoiding hiring an attorney.  Call a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney and get some answers before you move forward in your case.  It'll be well worth your investment.

As for more minor "petty misdemeanor" tickets, whether or not you really need an attorney depends greatly on your circumstances.  There are only a couple of situations that I encounter where I recommend people hire an attorney to handle their petty misdemeanor traffic cases.  One situation is when the accused has multiple traffic violations on their record, and adding another would hinder their ability to hold car insurance.  The other is when someone uses their license to earn a living.  Let's look at both of those situations separately.

If you've been saddled with a bunch of tickets in the past 5 years, chances are you've seen an increase in your insurance premiums.  If you continue to pile up tickets, it's possible for your insurance company to deny you further coverage, meaning that you could be out in the cold and be unable to operate your vehicle.  If you are at the breaking point with your insurance (or simply can't afford any more premium increases), having a Minnesota traffic attorney work with you on your case could help you get the ticket lowered to a reduced charge, at the very least.  If you have reason to believe that you were wrongly issued a citation, an attorney can help you fight said ticket in the courts and get you the best deal possible.  By reducing your ticket (or getting it dismissed altogether), a Minnesota Traffic Attorney can help you keep your insurance premiums consistent, saving you thousands of dollars in the process.

What Can Be Gained?

If you are someone who uses their license to earn a living, having a Minnesota traffic attorney could help your cause quite a bit, as well.  Truck drivers, taxi drivers, mail carriers, delivery drivers, and heavy equipment operators all have a vested stake in keeping their license clean.  Tickets can cost you your job, safety bonuses, or the opportunity to find a higher paying position in the future.  A Minnesota traffic attorney can analyze your case to determine whether there are any aspects of your situation that can be challenged.  If no such elements exist, a dedicated attorney can still help you negotiate a deal with prosecution that can lessen the charge you are convicted of and help keep your license pristine.  If you're family depends on you keeping a clean license to survive financially, take the time to speak with an attorney to see what options you have.

What's Next?

If you find yourself the recipient of a basic speeding ticket/stop sign ticket/red light ticket, you've got a couple different options.

First, you can choose to pay the ticket online/over the phone/in the mail.  You'll be pleading guilty to the charge on the ticket, but you'll eliminate the chances of having to pay any late fees or penalties for neglecting to pay the ticket.  For all intents and purposes, that ticket will be on your record for five years.  If you receive no further tickets during that period, it's unlikely that your insurance will be effected (assuming you weren't going 40 over the limit).  For most people, this option is easiest, as it doesn't require you to take a morning off work and go down to the courthouse.

Your second option is to appear for your court date and attempt to challenge the ticket.  Often, the citation you receive will have a court date printed on the ticket.  If it doesn't, there will be a phone number for you to call to get one.  The benefit to taking this path to dealing with your ticket is that prosecutors tend to be willing to negotiate with people who show up.

If you choose option #2 --- a lawyer can help.  Often, he/she knows what to say and how to say it --- this could save you a trip to court and earn you the outcome you're seeking.  If you need to know more about how to fight you Minnesota Traffic Ticket - call the Rolloff Law Office today to set up a FREE CONSULTATION: (612) 234-1165.  (Honestly, the money you spend on an attorney could actually save moeny on costly insurance premiums in the future.)