Fighting a Speeding Ticket

When a person gets a traffic ticket, they have three options. The first option is, the individual can pay the ticket also getting the points that come along with that ticket. In just about every circumstance, this is the worst thing someone can do, because the associated points will immediately be assessed against their driver’s license which is definitely something to avoid.

The second option is to pay the ticket and choose to go to traffic school. This option is usually not a person’s best option because they must pay the cost of the ticket and also pay for the traffic school, as well as spending a minimum of four hours of their time attending the traffic school (either online or in person).

The third option is to fight the ticket. I believe this is the best option for almost everyone to choose, because in almost every instance it works out better financially, even when factoring in the cost of an attorney.

For instance, if you get a ticket for going 16 miles over the speed limit, in Broward County the fine would be $255 with points on your license if you just paid it. (Option 1 above)

Or you could pay the $255 and choose four hours of traffic school to avoid getting the points (at an average cost of $40 plus four hours of your time) for a total of $295. (Option 2 above)

Or you could hire an attorney. (Option 3 above) In our case, the cost to hire us to fight the ticket would be $79.00. Now there are a few outcomes that are possible from here. First, if we get the ticket dismissed, you would incur no additional cost. From a financial standpoint, (if the case winds up being dismissed) this would be an easy choice.

However, no attorney has a 100 percent dismissal rate. But that doesn’t mean there still aren't things to fight for. If the case is not dismissed, the next thing an attorney should do is fight to keep you out of traffic school and fight to keep the points off your record. We have had great success in doing that, but the court will require you to pay court costs (directly to the clerk of court, not the lawyer) in exchange for no points and no school. So there are few things you have to mathematically factor in.

Our first option was $255 with points. The second option was a total of $295 no points, but approximately 4 hours of traffic school and the third option would consist of either a $79 attorney’s fee if the case is dismissed, or a $79 attorney’s fee, plus court costs, (in the amount of $175) if it isn't.

Could you save the $79 and fight the ticket yourself? Sure. But there are a few things to consider if that is your choice. First, is how much you value your time. Everyone’s time has a value, some more than others. If you choose to fight the ticket yourself, you will save the $79, but you will be forced to spend a minimum of four to six hours traveling to and from the courthouse and waiting for the case to be heard. There are three court appearances that are necessary. Then there's the small problem of knowing what to say to the judge when you get there.

Now if you've been following the math, you might be thinking, "If I pay an attorney and the case doesn't get dismissed, I will also have to pay court costs to the clerk of court in the amount $175, totaling $254. That only saves me $1 over option 1 above". True, but that's the worst case scenario and it still keeps points off your license and you out of traffic school. Also, points on your license will probably cause your insurance rates to go up and going to traffic school costs you both time and money.

No attorney can promise to get a case dismissed, (If you ever find one that says they can promise that, ask to get it in writing and see how fast they change their tune.)

However we can promise to do everything possible to try to get the ticket dismissed. We have been helping people with their traffic ticket defenses for over 15 years and we can probably help you.