Stamford Traffic Lawyer
If you have been ticketed for a traffic infraction in the state of Connecticut, it may be tempting to just pay your ticket and move on with your life. However, there are many instances in which it is in your best interests to fight the charges against you.
Having too many tickets listed on your driving record can result in drastic increases to your insurance rates, as well as the potential loss of your driving privileges.
If you were ticketed after being involved in an accident, a guilty plea to a traffic infraction can affect other pending criminal charges against you. Further, if you drive for a living or hold a commercial license, too many moving violations can result in the loss of your employment.
While you may feel helpless to argue your case while being ticketed, there are often ways to defend against these charges at a later date, both in and out of court. Our Stamford traffic lawyers can help you understand all the potential consequences of your traffic violation, as well as the options available to lower these consequences depending on your specific case. Call today to discuss your case with a defense attorney in Stamford.
The Role of An Attorney
Although the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles prints on its paper tickets that a guilty or no contest plea will not result in points being added to their record, this information is misleading as the infraction itself still becomes a part of your permanent driving record.
Many defendants who have been ticketed for a traffic violation wrongfully assume that simply mailing in their payment will allow them to avoid an increase in their insurance rates.
However, insurance companies use their own merit points systems to increase their rates and premiums, and have access to any infractions listed on a defendant’s permanent driving record.
In addition to costly insurance increases and fines, moving violations can have more serious consequences, even resulting in driver’s license suspensions for repeat offenders. While Connecticut DMV points are only assessed after a conviction following a trial, few traffic infractions actually end up in court.
With the assistance of an experienced traffic attorney in Stamford, it is often possible to negotiate a lesser charge or dismiss the charges against you entirely without ever having to appear in court, thereby avoiding the consequences of pleading guilty.
How Are Speeding Tickets Issued?
Connecticut law makes it illegal to drive on state roadways at an unsafe speed. What constitutes an unsafe speed is defined by various statutes and will depend on the road itself, but can even include driving too slowly.
While speeding is typically considered to be driving above the posted speed limit, in certain situations the safe speed will be dependent on a number of factors including weather, traffic conditions, construction, and visibility.
Speeding tickets may be issued pursuant to a number of different Connecticut laws, although the most common is C.G.S. § 14-219, which prohibits driving above the established speed limit. Tickets may also be given for driving too slowly, pursuant to C.G.S. § 14-220, which makes it illegal to drive so slowly that traffic is blocked or impeded, or to drive less than 40 miles per hour on any limited access divided highway.
Further, pursuant to C.G.S. § 14-222, driving more than 20 miles per hour above the established speed limit is considered reckless driving, which carries more severe penalties than a typical speeding ticket, including potential prison time making it important a Stamford traffic lawyer is contacted.
Who Can Drive in the Right Hand Lane?
Pursuant to C.G.S. § 14-230, most vehicles are required to drive primarily in the right-hand lane when traveling on any highways in the State of Connecticut.
The left-hand lane is to be used only for passing or overtaking another vehicle going in the same direction, pedestrians, parked vehicles or obstructions on the highway, or when the right-hand lane is closed. Any vehicle that is driving slower than the normal flow of traffic must be driving in the right-hand lane.
A special permit from the Commissioner of Transportation is required to allow oversized vehicles to drive in the left-hand lane. Failure to follow these rules can and often does result in being ticketed for an infraction.
While this is a common violation given to out-of-state drivers, who are often ticketed for driving in the left-hand lane when not passing another vehicle, ignorance of state law is not a defense.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
A traffic infraction or moving violation can have lasting effects on your insurance rates and driving privileges, in addition to the fine you will be required to pay if you plead guilty or no contest to the charges against you.
Traffic infractions that you do not successfully defend against will be listed on your permanent driving record, and will likely result in an increase in your state-required insurance rates.
Having too many infractions on your record can result in the loss of your driving privileges in some cases. Although it may be tempting to pay your ticket without fighting the charges against you, there are many benefits to obtaining legal representation to fight for your rights in these situations.
Our Stamford traffic attorneys may be able to have the charges against you dismissed entirely, or utilize plea bargaining to avoid having more points added to your driving record. Contact our offices to discuss your options today!