Here are three easy things you can do to shift the odds in your favor when fighting a Michigan traffic ticket.
- Courtesy to the Police Officer
Your average traffic officer deals with many people in his or her typical eight-hour shift. One officer told me that with computer-generated ticket writing, she was able to write a ticket every 10 minutes. Most people receiving a ticket are angry, sad or upset. That’s where some make a mistake. They make a mistake when they quarrel or, worse yet, are impolite to the officer.The key, however, is to remain calm and not offend the officer. I would recommend that you treat the officer politely and respectfully. You may tell the officer your version of events but it should be done in a calm, respectful manner.Why? Getting the police officer’s cooperation is often vital to getting a successful outcome for your traffic ticket. If you are impolite, the officer may write this on the copy of the ticket forwarded to the prosecutor. If the prosecutor sees this on the ticket, or if the police officer tells the prosecutor that you were rude, the prosecutor will often not offer you a reduction. For example, the prosecutor will refuse to offer you a reduction to a zero-point infraction. - Fight Every Ticket
The Secretary of State keeps a database of everyone’s driving record. If you receive a traffic ticket conviction in a court, the court will, in most cases, send a record of your conviction to the Secretary of State so they can put it to your driving record. Since your insurance company can look at the Secretary of State records, this can cause costly insurance rate increases.In my opinion, it’s important to fight every ticket. This is the only way you can possibly attempt to keep your driving record pristine. Why? It’s important to recognize that prosecutors have a copy of your driving record at the time you go to court. If you have ticket convictions on your driving record then the prosecutor will be less likely to offer you a reduced ticket. It’s similar to individuals with criminal records. If it’s your 1st offense, you can often plea to a reduced charge. If you have prior offenses, it is harder to obtain a reduction. - Hire an Attorney that Regularly Handles Traffic Tickets
The saying “been there, done that” certainly applies in this case. A traffic ticket attorney can be very helpful. A lawyer can try to negotiate a favorable plea reduction or, if necessary, argue your case to the judge.