Traffic Ticket Attorney Cost

Typical costs:

• Fees start as low as $60-$150 to have a lawyer spend a few minutes appearing as your representative in traffic court (so you don't have to attend) but, depending on location and circumstances, if can run $200-$500 for limited and fairly straightforward legal services for a simple speeding ticket or other traffic offense. In these cases, most attorneys charge a flat fee rather an hourly rate, and many lawyers accept traffic citation work by mail.
• Attorney fees quickly jump to $900-$2,000 or more to contest a speeding ticket and can run $2,000-$5,000 and up for a more complex traffic case that goes to trial. A lawyer may charge a flat fee for a specific type of case or an hourly rate of $100-$300 or more. Either way, you will need to pay an advance fee known as a retainer. The amount of the retainer is based on all or part of the flat fee or an estimated amount of hours. A lawyer working on a hourly basis deducts that hourly rate from the retainer as the work is done. When the retainer is gone, you will be billed for an additional payment.

• Some attorneys specialize in speeding and other traffic law violations, sometimes handling hundreds of cases daily[2] , according to Bankrate.com. An attorney will negotiate for you, attempting to get the charges dismissed on technicalities or reduced to minimize the impact on your driving record and auto insurance rates.
• Traffic laws are generally divided into infractions or violations. An infraction is not considered a crime, the only penalty is a fine, and a person who is guilty of an infraction can't be jailed, have a jury trial or a court-appointed lawyer. Most non-moving or non-dangerous incidents are infractions. Generally someone accused of a misdemeanor or felony violation will go through the booking and bail processes, and have the right to a jury trial and a court-appointed attorney.
• Laws vary considerably, but in some states if you were driving more than 9-15 mph over the posted limit simply admitting you were speeding and paying the fine might result in a temporary suspension of your driver license. FindLaw.com provides an overview of traffic laws by state[3] and discusses deciding whether to fight a traffic ticket[4] .

• Depending on state laws, a traffic ticket may add a "point" or "points" to your driving record. This can cause your auto insurance rates to go up 30-50 percent for the next two to three years.
• Fines, court fees and other assessments start around $100-$300 but can be much higher based on how fast over the speed limit you were driving or the nature of the charges against you. A New York attorney estimates that a 8-point speeding violation for driving 96 mph in a 65 mph zone costs $1,100 for a fine, surcharge and assessment[5] ; but having it reduced to a 2-4 point infraction drops the fine to $205-$355 with no surcharge or assessment.
• Most traffic tickets cases are settled without a trial, but if your case does go to trial, paying for testing and testimony by expert witnesses to refute the state's evidence can add $2,000-$5,000 or more to the total cost.

• Members of the AAA (American Automobile Association) who are found not guilty of violating motor vehicle laws may be eligible for reimbursement of a portion of their legal fees. Contact AAA Members Services[6] for details.

• Ask about the attorney's education, experience and area of specialty. The State Bar of Georgia provides a pamphlet on how to choose a lawyer.
• Check with the American Bar Association for lawyer referral services by state[7] . Referrals are also available through the National Motorists Association[8] and FindLaw.com[9] .
• Your attorney should provide you with a written fee agreement. Be sure you understand what is covered, and any other fees and expenses you might have to pay.

1.  traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/types-of-tickets/
2.  www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/can-a-lawyer-beat-your-traffic-ticket--1.aspx
3.  traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/types-of-tickets/speeding-laws.html
4.  traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/how-to-fight-a-ticket/
5.  www.redlichlaw.com/traffic/why.html
6.  www.aaa.com/AAA_Travel/MemberServices/member_services.htm
7.  apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/lris/directory/
8.  attorney.motorists.org/
9.  traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/how-to-fight-a-ticket/

Check Out All Costs for Personal Finance		How Much Does a Traffic Ticket Attorney Cost?		How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost?		How Much Do Tax Returns Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

April is craft month. We have the cost of scrapbooking and other crafts. Looking for help to take care of your garden? How much does garden service cost. If you want a spring or summer wedding, now is the time to pin down the location. A BBQ grill could be handy to enjoy backyard activities during the summer months. Spring has sprung. Are you thinking about allergy shots?

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Didn't hurt the pocketbook Paid: 43.00 I called my dentist because my tooth had been hurting for a week and a half. I couldn't eat or sleep. It was horrible. They got me in the next day. The dental surgeon and staff took x-rays, verified that it indeed needed to come out... [more] -Anxious in Augusta Tooth Extraction Cost Current cost of skirting job 2022 Paid: 2356.00 Purchased material @ mobile home supply store Front/back top trim & ground track 17 each [email protected]$9= $459. 48 [email protected]$17= $816. [email protected]$40 [email protected] $20 tax $121. Total material $1456. 3 guys total $75 hour labor at 12 hours $900 labor... [more] -Fayard siding Mobile Home Skirting Cost Alatel joy tab2 Paid: 108.00 Cracked screen... [more] -Shawn P Speers Tablet Repair Cost Replace 2baths, laundry, and kitchen to the street Paid: 20000.00 Numerous breaks in 90 year old cast iron and also in the clay pipe. replaced with 4" schedule 40 ABS to the curb and then liner in the clay pipe to the city sewer... [more] -Steve in 2022 Sewer Line Replacement Cost Full mouth -Is this estimate too much? Paid: 16945.00 Extract buttom front teeth, replace with single implant for both teeth. Root canals and crowns needed for 3 molars, fillings needed on 11 teeth. Deep cleaning with 4 spots of Arestin and fluoride treatment. All under IV sedation... [more] -Shanmarspag Dental Work Cost Lockout at front door Paid: 175.00 I was quoted $29 for a service call. The techniciandidn't give me a price but went ahead with the repair. It took about 10 minutes. Then he told me the charge was because the owner of the business gets most of the money I paid... [more] -Carla Axelrod Locksmith Cost