According to statistics, nearly 1.25 million people die in the U.S. every year as a result of traffic accidents. That’s 3,287 deaths every day.
The average person has a 16 percent chance of receiving a speeding ticket in a year. But if you believe you have been falsely issued a ticket for violating the traffic laws, it’s best to stand your ground.
Most drivers will pay the fine without questioning the authenticity of the citation. But this can have negative long-term impacts on your driving record.
You’ll also have to pay more for insurance premiums and you can risk getting your license suspended.
But if you’ve decided to appeal your case in court, here’s what you should know about battling a speeding ticket in Suffolk County:
Count Your Points
The points you accumulate will decide whether you should be fined or not. If you’ve been fined three times over a period of eighteen months, your license will be revoked.
Therefore, make sure you know about the points system in New York to help you figure out your next step.
Here’s a table regarding the points to help you get a better understanding of what we’re talking about:
Speeding up to 10 mph over the limit equals to 3 points
Speeding 11–20 mph over the limit equals to 4 points
Speeding 21–30 mph over the limit equals to 6 points
Speeding 31–40 mph over the limit equals to 8 points
Speeding more than 40 mph over the limit equals to 11 points
Whether you’re guilty or not, it’s recommended that you know about the points system. You need to know about your rights. Unfortunately, for many jurisdictions in Long Island, traffic tickets are a way to earn revenue.
Make sure you don’t fall prey to this.
Don’t Ignore the Speeding Ticket
Unfortunately, a lot of drivers have this misconception that the ticket will disappear after they’ve paid the fine. Don’t ignore the ticket and don’t pay for it if you’re not in the wrong.
It will be put into your records and will stay there for a long time.
When you think about it, increased insurance rates, points on your driving license and the risk of having your licensed revoked aren’t worth the stress of paying for a fine you shouldn’t be paying for.
Make a Copy of the Speeding Ticket
Here’s what you should do: make a copy of the speeding ticket. If you aren’t guilty, you’ll need proof of everything and keeping a copy of the ticket is imperative.
Read the “not guilty” instructions listed at the back of the ticket and tick the “not guilty” box. Remember that paying for the ticket means you’re admitting to a crime you did not commit.
Hire a Traffic Violation Lawyer
Last but not least, you’ll need to hire a traffic violation lawyer to defend your case in court. Make sure to hand over the copy of the speeding ticket to them.
A traffic violation attorney can help you gather evidence, and dismiss or lower your penalty.
If you’re looking for a traffic ticket attorney in Suffolk, NY, the Law Offices of Norley E. Castañeda can provide you with the legal assistance and consultation you need.
Make sure to contact us now to get a free evaluation for your case.