If you have found our web site, chances are you have recently received a traffic citation
or have been arrested on misdemeanor charges. It's bad enough that you had to go through the stress and aggravation
of being stopped by a police officer. Now you are looking at paying a fine, or maybe even serving jail time. While
just pleading guilty and paying the fine will make the charges go away, doing so may have long terms consequences to your
driving record and auto insurance rates.
Most traffic violations in Texas are Class C misdemeanors - a criminal offense punishable by a fine not
to exceed $200.00 plus court costs. If you plead guilty and pay the fine, the violation will appear on your DPS driving
record for the next three years. During this time your insurance company may decide to substantially raise your rates.
Too many violations on your driving record can result in the suspension of your driver's license and/or trigger a surcharge
under the DPS Driver Responsibility Program.
Even if you think you might be guilty, under the law you are Not Guilty
until the State can prove otherwise to a judge or a jury. A traffic ticket attorney is familiar with the court system
and knows the complexities of the Transportation Code, as well as the rules of evidence and criminal procedure.
In most cases, the worst decision you can make is to simply plead guilty and pay the fine. By doing so, you are giving
the government your hard earned money, inviting your insurance company to raise your rates and potentially risking the loss
of your driving privileges.
Before making any decision that affects your legal rights,
call our office at (512) 891-8000 for a free, no obligation telephone consultation.
