ST LOUIS TRAFFIC TICKETS START AT $35
Generally speaking, no. In fact, if you hire a St. Louis speeding ticket attorney to handle your traffic citation, it is very rare that you would have to appear in court at all. There are a few exceptions that I will get to later. But most of the time, it is the attorney who handles all the courtroom stuff for you.
And of course, this is one of the benefits to retaining the services of a lawyer: so that he or she can take care of things on your behalf (so that you don’t have to worry about it!!) It is the attorney who works out a deal with the prosecutor; it is the attorney who fills out the necessary paperwork; it is the attorney who confers with the judge about legal matters; all for you.
So when might it be necessary for you to show up in court on a St. Louis traffic ticket? Let’s take a look at a few examples:
- You were traveling at a rate of speed that was far in excess of the posted limit. I have had several clients who were speeding by more than thirty (30) miles over the limit (something like 90mph in a 60mph zone). In those types of cases, it is rare that the prosecutor would give a recommendation to lower the ticket to a non-moving violation. Usually, it will require you to make an appearance in front of the judge with your lawyer. The judge will give you a good tongue-lashing (and sometimes insist on driving school, a high fine, and in some municipalities even a short period of time in jail).
- You are charged with Driving While Suspend in St Louis (in other words, you got caught driving while your license was suspended), but this is the fifth or sixth time you have received the same type of ticket. If you are multi-offender, then again, the prosecutor will likely be reluctant to offer a recommendation. Instead, it will require an appearance in front of the bench.
- When you were pulled over, you were mean, rude, or nasty to the police officer giving you the ticket. If this happens, the cop will sometimes write a notation in the margin of the ticket to the prosecutor (or fill out a police report) making it clear that your behavior was below standard. I have seen several occasions when a prosecutor is more than willing to amend the ticket under normal circumstances, but for the fact that the client treated the officer with disdain.
PLEADING GUILTY TO THE TICKET IS NOT YOUR BEST OPTION!!
There might be a couple of other situations that could prove to be difficult in getting a favorable outcome. But this is precisely why it is always in your best interest to hire a good St. Louis traffic ticket lawyer!!
We have one location by appointment only: 4625 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108. The consultation to discuss your legal matters is free of charge. So contact us today to learn more!!