Traffic Tickets — Punishment Ranges

Most traffic violations are Class C misdemeanors and generally are punishable by a fine only within the range of $1.00 - $200.00, plus court costs. The actual fine amount and court costs to be paid may vary from court to court, and county to county. Some violations can result in higher fines, for example, passing a school bus is punishable by a fine between $200 and $1,000. For Construction Zone violations when workers are present, the fines are doubled. A fine for Failure to Yield Right of Way resulting in an accident with injuries can be $500 - $2,000, or even double if there are serious bodily injuries. Fines for overweight violations for commercial drivers can result in fines ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. In some cases, a conviction for a second or subsequent offense can result in a higher fine, or in some instances, charges may be filed for a higher grade misdemeanor for which the punishment could be fine and jail.

 

A conviction for an offense is reported to the individual’s driving record. This includes convictions for traffic tickets received in another state. There are possible options whereby a violation will not be reported to the individual’s driving record. These include an outright dismissal of a ticket, taking a Driver Safety Course (DSC) (sometimes referred to as a defensive driving course), a Pre-Trial Diversion agreement with the prosecuting attorney, or a Deferred Disposition. Of course, every person who receives a ticket has a right to a trial before a Judge, or a trial to a jury.

Some people think that it’s just easier, or, perhaps, less costly just to pay a ticket rather than hiring an attorney. Beware: This can result in unintended and hidden consequences such as points, surcharges and license suspension.

 

In order to avoid such hidden consequences, and before you decide to pay any traffic fine, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney who practices regularly and is knowledgeable in this area of the law.

Initial Consultation with Scott Markowitz is free.
Call now (713) 521-7568 or send an email to scott@scottmarkowitz.com