Criminal Lawyer

Unfortunately, almost everyone has been stopped by the police for violating traffic laws at some point. Whether the charge is running a red light, not using a turn signal or speeding, most of us have had an encounter with law enforcement. Sometimes that encounter can lead to a ticket being issued. Here are some ways to fight a ticket if you are issued one by the police. 

Avoid a Ticket 

First, it’s best to avoid the ticket altogether because that can often lead to fees, fines, and even court time if not handled properly. You want to talk your way out of a ticket when the situation arises. You can do this by remaining calm, and being prepared with your license and registration before the officer approaches your vehicle. Erratic movement can alert suspicion and you should avoid any and all factors of the stop turning into something more serious. 

Next, you want to make sure you are polite to the police officer. Like most jobs where people are dealing with the public, people can be rude, angry, and take out their frustration on police officers. If you approach the situation with a pleasant demeanor, you might turn the situation around. 

Prepare for Court

If you do happen to get a ticket after this step, you want to prepare yourself to fight it in court. You can do this by jotting down what you remember from the encounter with the officer, taking pictures of the scene, and checking the ticket for any errors. Sometimes tickets can be dismissed by the judge because of inaccurate information. If possible, ask for a continuance on your case. The more time in between the ticket issuance and the court date, the better it is for the police officer to not show up or forget the exact details of your encounter with them. 

Contact an Attorney

Although it is frustrating, there are always options to proceed. If you or someone you know has received a citation for any reason, contact a criminal lawyer, like a criminal lawyer in Decatur, GA. A criminal defense attorney may be able to help you with your license or any additional charges that may apply. Speak with a criminal defense attorney about your ticket to see what legal options you have to fight it. Maybe you can receive a deal that reduces the charge to something like reckless driving from a DUI, or even to speeding from reckless driving. The right attorney will know what to do. Speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. 

Thanks to The Lynch Law Group for their insight into how to fight citations.