Andre A. Hakes
Traffic Ticket Attorney
Experienced Traffic Ticket Lawyers | Offices in Charlottesville, Palmyra, Harrisonburg, & Staunton, Virginia
A traffic citation does not have to mean high fines and increased insurance rates. We can help you make an informed decision. Call us.
Andre A. Hakes – Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, DUI & Traffic Attorney
Leila B. Higgins-Fleishman – Criminal Defense & Traffic Attorney
Contact us today for an Initial Consultation – It’s the first step to protecting yourself.
Four frequently asked questions about VA traffic tickets:
1. Should I fight my speeding ticket?
Whether or not to fight your speeding ticket involves a calculus depending on your own circumstances and the jurisdiction your ticket is in. There are more costs to a speeding ticket than just paying the fine and court costs, which you should consider:
- Insurance: You should call your insurance provider to find out if your premium will increase with a speeding ticket, and if the premium will increase less with a lower ticket. For example, if you’re convicted of driving 15 miles an hour over the speed limit will your premium increase more than if you were only convicted of 9 miles over?
- Employment: Some employers require their employees to have a clean driving record, or will only allow certain infractions. An attorney may be able to get a conviction lessened to a permissible infraction.
- Driving Record: A conviction for driving 9 miles an hour over the speed limit will give 3 demerit points to your Virginia driver’s license, while a conviction for 10 miles over will give 4 demerit points. Both will show up on your record for five years. However, a conviction for improper driving (3 demerit points) will only appear on your record for three years.
- Losing your License: If you have received 12 demerit points in 12 months or 18 demerit points in 24 months, the DMV may suspend your license and require you to take a driver improvement course.
- Other States: If you’re not from Virginia, a Virginia ticket may be treated differently in your home state. For example, while going 15 miles over the speed limit is only an infraction in Virginia, in another state, it may qualify as a misdemeanor. You will want to check with an attorney in your home state to find out how a Virginia ticket may affect you.
Then there are the X-factors, which influence the likelihood of success. Some judges will not budge on speeding tickets, and the only route to take is to try and get the RADAR/LIDAR reading thrown out. Some judges will look at a driver’s record and cut you a break if you show up for court. Some police departments keep their officers trained and their devices properly calibrated, while others may have a lucky lapse.
If you have a ticket, it is at least worthwhile to talk to an attorney and find out about how your situation affects your chances.
2. Should I consider challenging other traffic violations?
It may seem easier to plead guilty to a traffic violation than to hire an attorney and appear at a hearing. But a guilty plea can have long-term consequences, including points on your license that raise your insurance rates and result in lost driving privileges. You have the right to challenge traffic violations, including:
- Improper driving
- Reckless driving
- Child restraint or car seat violations
- Failure to stop
- Seat belt violations
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
- Lane change violations
- Failure to drive on the right side of the road
- Driving without insurance
- Driving while revoked or suspended
3. How long will a traffic convictions stay on my record?
Each case is different, but in general:
- 5 years (Speeding 1-9 mph over the posted limit.)
- 3 years (Improper passing.)
- 3 years (Improper stopping on highway.)
- 3 years (Improper turn.)
- 3 years (Improper U-turn.)
- 3 years (No VA driver’s license.)
- 3 years (Learner’s permit violation.)
- 3 years (Driving while using earphones.)
- 3 years (Use of Handheld Communications Device.)
4. What is your fee structure?
We can educate you on the phone about your charge, possible defenses, and potential consequences. Every case, court, and person is different. These are some situations where it may not be worth the cost to hire counsel. In other cases, an attorney can make all the difference. Tell us about your case, ask questions, get a fee quote, and when you have all the information, decide how you want to proceed.
For most traffic charges we can quote a flat fee over the phone, before you ever come in to the office.
Our attorneys represent traffic clients in the following jurisdictions:
- Albemarle County
- Augusta County
- Charlottesville
- Fauquier County
- Fluvanna County
- Greene County
- Harrisonburg
- Louisa County
- Madison County
- Nelson County
- Orange County
- Staunton
- Waynesboro
Your Next Step:
Contact us today – We’re ready to help.
We have four offices conveniently located in Charlottesville, Palmyra (Across from Food Lion), Harrisonburg, and Staunton, Virginia.
