Missouri Traffic Ticket Attorney for Speeding and DUI Charges

Missouri speeding and DUI citations should not be taken lightly. They can result in a fine, a mark on your record, and increased insurance rates for years to come. Some will even cause suspension of your license. DUI charges are even worse with potential time in jail, loss of your license for extended periods, and a criminal record forever. A Missouri traffic ticket lawyer speaks for you. For a speeding ticket or DUI, the proper lawyer tries to erase or cut back penalties. The second page informs you about what you need to know regarding traffic tickets in Missouri, what you get when you receive one, and how an attorney can be your advocate.

Why Traffic Tickets Are Important in Missouri

Most drivers feel that a ticket is no big deal. In Missouri, one ticket has serious long-term implications:

• Tickets cost more than you anticipate.
• Points stick with your record and add up.
• Insurance premiums rise for three to five years.
• Your driver’s license can be suspended if you have too many points.
• DUI offenses will put you in jail and on a criminal record.

Paying or ignoring the ticket without a lawyer is a mistake. It will hurt your driving record, your wallet, and in some instances, your employment.

Missouri Speeding Tickets

The most common traffic ticket is a speeding ticket. Missouri has a point system that it uses to punish the guilty:

• 3 points for speeding with city or town police.
• 2 points for a non-moving speeding citation.
• 5 points for speeding with state police.

Points accumulate rapidly. Get 8 points in 18 months, license is suspended for 30 days. Accumulate more points, suspensions lengthen. Insurance companies count points as evidence of careless driving. One ticket for speeding can increase your premium. But oftentimes, an attorney can negotiate the ticket down to a non-moving violation. That’s no points, no increase in insurance, and less cost in the future.

Missouri DUI Charges

Driving under the influence is one of the most serious driving infractions in Missouri, punishable criminally and by license as well.

• First DUI: 6 months in jail, $500 fine, and 30-day license suspension.
• Second DUI: 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine, and 1-year license revocation.
• Third DUI: Felony, 4 years in jail, $5,000 fine, and 10-year license denial.

A DUI arrest also shows up on your criminal record. This has the potential to affect job offers, housing applications, and even professional licenses. An experienced Kansas City DUI lawyer reviews all aspects of your arrest. They verify that the stop was constitutional, field tests were accurately performed, and breath or blood tests were accurate. Most DUI charges are dismissed or reduced because of police errors or faulty equipment.

How a Missouri Traffic Ticket Attorney Helps

A lawyer does not simply appear in court. They know Missouri law and how the courts in the area work. A traffic ticket lawyer can:

• Represent you in court so that you do not have to lose a day of work.
• Negotiate the charges to get them dismissed.
• Plead to keep points off your record.
• Request to review police reports for errors.
• Challenge to keep you from losing your license.

For DUI, lawyers can file motions to suppress negative evidence. If the breath unit was not working or if the officer made a mistake, the case would be weakened.

Benefits of Having a Lawyer

There is money involved in getting an attorney, but it generally saves you much more money. Perks are:

• Decreased insurance rates: Not getting points saves you on rates.
• Smaller fines: Lawyers usually get lower fines imposed.
• Convenience: You will not necessarily have to show up in court.
• Better defense: Especially on DUI charges.

One ticket can end up costing you thousands of dollars for insurance increases over several years. Legal defense may be more of a reality for money.

The Court Process for Tickets

Traffic tickets are usually handled in state or city court. If you have an attorney to represent you, they might be able to do so. This prevents you from having to take time off from school or work.

It is more complicated for DUIs:

• Arrest and detention after the traffic stop.
• Administrative license hearing before the Missouri DMV.
• State or city criminal charge.
• Trial or plea agreement based on evidence.\

Both the license case and criminal case must be defended. Both aspects are defended by an attorney to spare your record.

Common Errors Drivers Make After a Citation

Too many drivers do too many things that hurt their case. Most prevalent are:

• Pay the citation without disputing the charge.
• Not appearing in court.
• Defending a DUI case with no attorney.
• Keeping on talking to officers regarding the timing of a stop.

A lawyer avoids these mistakes and minimizes the harm as much as possible.

When to Hire a Lawyer

Call a Missouri traffic ticket attorney if:

• You are issued a DUI.
• You have already racked up points on your license.
• Your work depends on having a clean record on your driving.
• Your ticket will result in suspension.
• You would prefer to fight the ticket to paying it.

The sooner you call, the more time your attorney will have to defend you.

Protecting Your Future

Traffic tickets won’t seem like such a big issue today. But their real cost pays out down the road in higher insurance, suspensions, and even criminal convictions. Both speeding tickets and DWIs have high penalties. A Missouri traffic ticket attorney protects you from those penalties. By defending yourself properly, it is possible to redirect points, reduce fines, and even have charges dismissed. Protecting your record now keeps future opportunities intact.

Missouri Traffic Ticket Lawyer FAQs

1. Can a lawyer stop points from being charged on a speeding ticket?

Yes. Attorneys often have speeding tickets reduced to non-moving citations. This stops points from being charged and insurance rates from going up.

2. Do I need to go to court if I hire a lawyer?

In the majority of speeding tickets, your attorney can do that in court. In drunk driving, you may have to sit through a whole series of hearings, but your attorney does it.

3. Can a charge of Missouri DUI be dismissed?

Yes. Charges can be dismissed due to police mistakes in testing, arresting, or in documentation. Lawyers like to challenge breath tests and police conduct.

4. How much is a traffic ticket attorney in Missouri?

It is priced differently. A simple speeding ticket might cost a few hundred dollars. To defend a DUI, it is expensive as it involves criminal and license hearings. Most find it possible to save on insurance and fines through an attorney.

5. What if I don’t pay a traffic ticket in Missouri?

Ignoring a ticket can lead to an arrest warrant being issued against you. Your license will be revoked, and the charges will accumulate. A lawyer can clear old tickets and put an end to ongoing harm.