You have recently been nailed with a traffic-related charge. What do you do? Do you actually need the help of a traffic lawyer? In some cases, hiring a defense lawyer is an absolute must, but in other situations, it might not be worth the investment. As your local defense attorney in Fort Collins, we are here to help you determine the best course of action depending on the charges you are facing. We never want you to needlessly waste time or money on lawyer services that will not prove to be a wise investment. Conversely, we do not want you to face undue penalties, which could have been avoided through a proper defense. Read on to learn more about when you should contact a traffic lawyer, and when you should simply move forward.
CHARGED WITH A DUI
One specific charge in which you should absolutely reach out for help from a defense attorney is in the case of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge. A DUI charge should not be treated lightly as the consequences can be life-altering. You may face jail time, cumbersome fines, and community service requirements as well as losing your driving privileges. A defense attorney should be contacted immediately after a DUI charge. A lawyer can help you build a strong defense, which will hopefully lead to lessened penalties, or ideally a dropped charge.
OTHER SITUATIONS IN WHICH A TRAFFIC LAWYER SHOULD BE CALLED
Beyond a DUI charge, there are other situations in which contacting a traffic lawyer is your best course of action. The following are all cases in which you should contact our team for help right away:
- Reckless driving: If you are charged with reckless driving, you will face more than a minor fine. Reckless driving can leave you with a criminal record. You could face jail time as well as $250 to $1,000 in fines. Reckless driving is usually classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor, although in situations where reckless driving resulted in a bodily injury or death of another, the charges could be a Class 1 misdemeanor. A Class 1 misdemeanor results in longer jail times and higher fines upwards of $5,000.
- Hit and run: If you were in an accident and you fled the scene, you may face charges of a hit and run. This is also referred to as leaving the scene of an accident. This charge should be taken seriously as it can result in serious jail time and substantial fines. If you left an accident in which only property was damaged, you might be facing a Class 2 misdemeanor. If you fled the scene of an accident that resulted in injuries, the charge might be classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor with longer jail times and heftier fines. When an accident results in serious bodily injury and you flee the scene, you might face a class 5 felony with prison time. The harshest penalties result, however, from fleeing the scene of an accident which resulted in the death of someone. This charge will be considered a Class 3 felony, with a prison time of four to 12 years.
- Driving Uninsured: Although it may not seem like that big of a deal, driving without insurance can leave you in a sticky situation. If it is your first offense you will face fines, community service requirements, and the loss of your license plates. Your driving record will also be damaged with points. For second, third, and subsequent offenses, you can even face jail time, as well as increased fines.
These are just a few of the more serious traffic-related charges which require the aid of a defense lawyer. Other times when you should consult with a lawyer include driving with a revoked license, repeat speeding tickets, outstanding warrants for unpaid tickets or traffic violations, and driving with an expired license.
SITUATIONS WHERE YOU DO NOT NEED A TRAFFIC LAWYER
The above scenarios all warrant the help of an experienced defense attorney. However, there are traffic-related charges in which the cost of a lawyer would be more than just paying for the ticket. Cases in which you do not need to consult with a lawyer include first offense speeding tickets and parking infractions. When in doubt, feel free to reach out to our team for a free consultation. We can quickly and honestly let you know if hiring a defense attorney will be in your best interest or not.
When you need a traffic lawyer in Fort Collins, reach out to our experienced team. We are passionate about helping our clients build the best defense possible. We founded our firm on a belief that every single individual deserves fair representation and that every human should be treated with dignity and integrity. You can trust our team to put your best interest first. Use the form below to reach out to our team.
