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Should I hire an attorney? Most people who get a speeding ticket just pay it off rather than spend the money to hire an attorney. But you should remember that once an insurance company finds out about a speeding ticket, your premium could go up significantly. If you are a young, male driver, the company might even double your current rate, or worse, cancel your insurance. Higher insurance rates usually last three to five years from your last traffic conviction. If you add up three to five years of higher premiums, you could end up paying thousands of dollars. If an attorney costs you $300-$500 and can help you NOT to get that speeding conviction, it may very well be worth the money. The best thing to do is to call your insurance company and find out what will happen to your insurance if you get a speeding conviction. If your insurance company tells you they will not raise your premiums for one speeding conviction, you might decide to pre-pay the ticket, or handle the case yourself. If, however, your insurance company tells you your rates will rise significantly, going to court with an experienced traffic court attorney might be a worthwhile investment.

Attorney interview tips: Hire an attorney that handles traffic cases on a regular basis in the jurisdiction in which you received a ticket. Ask the attorney what kind of experience he or she has in traffic matters. What can you expect on the day of trial? What is the predicted best and worst case scenario? Also, be sure to ask the attorney what he or she charges for representation. If you have time, interview more than one attorney and pick the one with whom you feel most comfortable. Find out before you make an appointment to meet with an attorney if the attorney charges a fee for consultations. Most attorneys do not charge a fee to meet with potential clients for traffic matters.

DISCLAIMER: David A. Cardon is an attorney at the Virginia Beach office of Cardon and Goodman, P.C. who concentrates his legal practice in traffic, criminal, and personal injury law. Mr. Cardon provides the materials contained above as a public service and on an informational basis only. These materials are not intended to be a comprehensive statement of Virginia law, and are not intended to convey legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should consult with an attorney in your area who can investigate the particular circumstances of your situation. You can contact David Cardon, Esquire at (757) 306-9060 or dcardon@cglawfirm.net.

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