Traffic Tickets

Mankato Criminal Defense Lawyer

Traffic tickets may seem like no big deal. You get a ticket, you pay the ticket, and you go on with your day, right? Actually, that ticket is a bigger deal than you may think. Just paying it doesn’t make it go away. In fact, it will hang around on your driving record for a while, keeping you from having a clean driving record and causing your insurance rates to increase for up to 5 years after the offense. This can cost you thousands of dollars in the long-term.

If you have received a traffic ticket, you shouldn’t sit back and take it. Just because it may seem like it has gone away doesn’t mean it isn’t going to come back to haunt you in some way. Your Mankato traffic tickets attorney can advise you of the consequences for you specifically and what your rights are in regards to challenging the ticket.

Traffic Ticket Consequences

The consequences of a traffic ticket are more severe than what many people think. First, there is the mark on the driving record. This means that you could have difficulty finding a job that requires a clean driving record. If your current job requires you to have a clear driving record, you could be moved to another position, demoted, or you could lose your job.

There is also the fine. The fine averages around $100 to $150, but the increased cost of insurance that results from a tainted driving record costs much more than the fine.

If your insurance company finds that you have a ticket on your driving record, they will increase your rate. If you decide to switch companies, they are going to ask if you have had any tickets within the past 3 to 5 years. If you do not answer truthfully, they are still able to find out by checking your driving record. This revelation will prompt them to raise your rates for a specific amount of time.

Traffic Ticket Defense

When you challenge the ticket, your Southern Minnesota traffic tickets lawyer will stand with you. The first court appearance is the initial hearing where you are asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you choose guilty, then the judge will order you to pay the fine and that is it. If you plead not guilty, a trial date will be set.

At the trial, you and your attorney will have the opportunity to defend you. Evidence is presented and your attorney is able to cross-examine the police officer. You will also be cross-examined by the prosecutor. At the end, the judge enters a guilty or not guilty verdict. If you are determined to be not guilty, then you will not have to pay fines and can go on with a clean driving record.

Contact A Mankato Traffic Tickets Lawyer

Traffic tickets may seem like minor offenses, but the fact is that even something as simple as a traffic ticket can have a negative impact on the rest of your life. In fact, a traffic ticket can keep you from getting a job where you have to have a clean driving record and can cause your insurance rates to go up. Both of these consequences make fighting a traffic ticket worth it for you. To learn more about what Birkholz Law, LLC can do for you when it comes to traffic tickets, call the Mankato office at 507-387-2100, the St. James office at 507-375-3374, and the Westbrook office at 507-274-6501 to schedule a free consultation.