Traffic violations happen all the time in Texas. Perhaps a violation occurred because you were in a rush to get to work or pick up your kids. Whatever the reason, under the legal system, traffic violations could result in penalties and high fines. A Plainview traffic lawyer could help you explore your options in these circumstances.
The consequences of a traffic violation could include paying fines, incurring points on your driving record that could lead to points-based surcharges paid annually, your license being revoked or suspended, or increased auto insurance rates. A capable criminal defense lawyer could fight to pursue a favorable outcome for your case.
Types of Texas Traffic Violations
Plainview traffic defense attorneys may take on many types of driving violation cases, including but not limited to:
- Reckless/careless driving
- Speeding
- Operating a vehicle with an expired, suspended, or revoked license
- Operating a vehicle without insurance
- Failure to obey traffic signs or signals
- DUI/DWI
Whether the defendants individual is a first-time offender, a minor, or a repeat offender, Plainview traffic attorneys could work tirelessly to figure out a strong defense for the individual charged.
Consequences for Traffic Violations
The state of Texas may use a driver responsibility program that requires individuals with certain moving violation convictions on their driving record to pay administrative fees. Under this program, there are point system surcharges which could be a result of when an individual has more than six points on their driving record.
After someone accrues six points and the initial $100 is paid, each additional point may cost an extra $25. These fees incur annually based on the number of points still on a person’s license. A talented Plainview traffic lawyer could help to explain these types of potential penalties and helpt to fight them.
Conviction-Based Surcharge
The other type of surcharge is a conviction-based surcharge, which may require the defendant to pay annually for three years from their date of conviction. These offenses may not result in points on a person’s license, so they are a separate surcharge from the point system surcharge:
- For DWI/DUI (first offense), the surcharge may be $1,000 per year
- For DWI/DUI (with prior DWI/DUI offense on record), the surcharge could be $1,500 per year
- For DWI/DUI with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.16% or more, the surcharge may be $2,000 per year
- For driving without insurance, the surcharge may be at least $250 per year
- For driving with a license that is suspended, revoked, or expired, the surcharge has the potential to be $250 per year
- For driving without a license, the surcharge could be up to $100 per year
On top of fines and points, depending on the moving violation, individuals may face license suspension, license revocation, or license cancelation.
Getting in Contact with a Plainview Traffic Attorney
An experienced traffic defense attorney may be able to help you contest your traffic ticket during a trial, fight to avoid the penalties of the charge, and even pursue options such as a defensive driver’s course to get the ticket dismissed and/or driving record points reduced.
If you were charged with a moving violation, you may not need to simply pay the fine and accept the points in your license. These could lead to yearly surcharges and increased insurance premiums. Contact a Plainview traffic lawyer as soon as possible to find out about your options.
