How to Get Rid of Points
It is almost always possible to get rid of points or keep a traffic ticket off your record. Never simply pay a ticket or you will lose an opportunity to avoid an increase in insurance rates.
Fighting Traffic Tickets
Casey Roskob was interviewed by Car and Driver magazine. He is an attorney who has dedicated his practice to fighting traffic tickets on behalf of his clients. His philosophy on the litigation of traffic issues applies to Michigan traffic cases as well. He stated during the interview, “fight every ticket….” I’ve shared this philosophy for the past 16 years. Although there are no guarantees in court, almost every ticket can be reduced or dismissed in court under the right circumstances. The insurance companies are the only entities that benefit from Michigan drivers accumulating points on their driving record.
There is almost always no disadvantage in fighting a ticket with an attorney, and there is usually a great benefit. The cost of hiring counsel to assist with a ticket is usually less than the costs of the increase in insurance premiums from a conviction on a moving violation. Often a client says, “I’m guilty, so why should we go to court?” The answer is simple. In 95% of traffic cases, the issue of guilt or responsibility for the violation is never litigated. In almost all cases, the Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. can negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the city attorney or prosecutor and put my client in a much better position by reducing or eliminating points or getting a moving violation dismissed upon payment of a fine. As Mr. Roskob states…”fight every ticket.”
Common Civil Infractions in Michigan
There are many different civil infractions in Michigan; most of them are moving violations that result in higher insurance premiums and points on your driving record. Regardless of the nature of the alleged violation or whether it was justified, it is essential to fight every traffic ticket to avoid points and increased premiums.
- Speeding
- Limited Access Speeding
- Improper Lane Usage
- Improper Start
- Careless Driving
- Failure to Use a Signal
- Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device (stop sign or traffic light)
- Too Fast for Conditions
- Failure to Yield
- Failure to Stop Within A Sure and Clear Distance
Misdemeanor Charges – Written as Tickets
In Michigan, some traffic misdemeanors are written as “tickets.” In these cases, the charges are not civil infractions and are actually much more serious. Most traffic misdemeanors are punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to 2 years of probation. Some misdemeanors carry a sentence of up to 1 year in jail. If you’ve received a “ticket” for one of the following offenses, you absolutely must have a great lawyer representing you in court to give you the best possible defense. In many of these cases, a skilled and adept criminal defense attorney can convince the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a civil infraction, and jail and probation can be avoided entirely.
- Driving on a Suspended License
- Driving in Violation of a Restricted License
- Reckless Driving
- Failure to Show a Valid Operator’s License
- Failure to Have Valid Insurance
- Driving on a Suspended License – Second Offense
- Hit and Run
- Drag Racing
- Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
- Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident
- Civil Infraction Causing Serious Bodily Injury
- Civil Infraction Causing Death
We Can Fight your Traffic Ticket
In almost every court in Michigan, it is worth it to fight any traffic ticket you receive. In many cases, a skilled defense lawyer can negotiate a dismissal of the charges or a reduction of the charges, even if you have a prior record and there is no defense to the allegation. Officers and prosecutors regularly work with defense lawyers to reduce tickets and points. When a lawyer is known and respected, they can often get the prosecutor and police officer to reduce or eliminate points to avoid a contested hearing. Most prosecutors have felony and misdemeanor cases to handle, witnesses to juggle, and deal with harsh judges. In these situations, they look for ways to quickly and peaceably resolve cases, and traffic tickets with lawyers are usually prime candidates for resolution.
Do you want to have your ticket dismissed or have the points reduced or eliminated? If so, we can very likely help you. We have decades of experience defending clients charged with civil infractions and an unparalleled track record for getting charges reduced or eliminated.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete a Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
