West Columbia Traffic Lawyer

Traffic offenses should be taken seriously by those that face them. Too many defendants think that a traffic ticket or other traffic offense is no big deal, but depending on the facts of your case, it could be a very big deal. Besides the cost of a ticket, paying a ticket is a plea of guilty to the offense. You could face points on your license, higher insurance rates, or even the loss of your right to drive (driver’s license suspension). This can affect all areas of your life and should be taken seriously.

With the help of an experienced West Columbia traffic lawyer, you can protect your constitutional rights. Get started on your defense today.

Understanding Traffic Offenses

Traffic tickets can be considered criminal charges. While they tend to be less serious than other types of criminal offenses, even simple traffic tickets can have serious ramifications for a defendant’s daily life. While certain traffic tickets simply come with a minor fine, others can result in much more severe consequences.

By far, the most common traffic offense in South Carolina is speeding. A typical speeding ticket is accompanied by a fine, a few points on a driver’s license, and maybe nothing more. It is important to understand however that, if paid and left unchallenged, this is a plea of guilty to the charge and can be tried in your absence. If the defendant was not speeding, or was not going as quickly as alleged, this can make a huge difference in the rate of the fine and ramifications for the defendant’s driver’s license.

There are much more serious traffic offenses as well. These not only carry potentially high fines, but the risk of the loss of a driver’s license, high-premium insurance, and even possible jail time. Some of these offenses include, but are not limited to:

• Reckless driving
• Charges for open containers
• Operating a vehicle without proper insurance
• Seatbelt violations
• DUI/DUAC
• Driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license
• Improper turns or improper lane change
• Running red lights or stop signs

The more serious penalties associated with these types of offenses can have a major impact on a person’s daily life. A traffic attorney in West Columbia can develop a defense to these charges.

Building a Defense to Traffic Charges

What defense strategy is appropriate in the defendant’s case will depend greatly on the specific facts of the situation. The type of charge, the defendant’s criminal history, and the specific report by the law enforcement officer who wrote the ticket will all come into play. Serious offenses such as DUI’s and reckless driving require an in-depth analysis of the defendant’s case to present a strong defense.

Every traffic offense deserves an appropriate legal defense. Just because a defendant is charged with a crime does not mean they should assume they are guilty. Prosecutors like to make you think they have an easy case for conviction, but more often than people think, there are ways to challenge a criminal charge.

Defend the Case with a Traffic Attorney in West Columbia

Every case deserves a criminal defense, even traffic offenses. No matter your situation, you deserve to have your case analyzed by a qualified criminal defense lawyer to determine your rights and the possible strategies available to you.

An experienced West Columbia traffic lawyer can present a defense on your behalf. Schedule a consultation today.