Although the scenario is uncommon, a few drivers have found themselves on the receiving end of school zone speeding tickets for driving slightly above the school speed limit during off days. If you’re unfortunate enough to get one of these tickets, something has clearly gone wrong and you should consult with a Louisiana Speeding Ticket Lawyer of Baton Rouge on which you can learn more on this link. for help. Only an experienced attorney that specializes in speeding tickets will understand the best way to get you out of the ticket, or to at least help you minimize the fine you’re expected to pay.
One of the worst things you can do after receiving a ticket you don’t think you deserved is to just pay the ticket and move on. While it may be more convenient to make a quick one-off payment to the county, you might be costing yourself far more than you realize. Traffic tickets usually result in increased insurance premiums. These premium increases could end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time. If you don’t think you were at fault for the charges brought against you, it’s up to you to talk with an attorney to get the help you need to defend yourself. By spending a small amount of money for legal help, you could save yourself big over time.
Be Sure You Weren’t Traveling Above The Area’s Standard Speed Limit
If you believe the above scenario has occurred to you, and you’ve been issued a ticket for speeding in a school zone at a time when the school is closed, it’s important to make sure you were going slower than the standard speed limit for the area. For instance, getting caught going 40 in a school zone marked at 15 won’t leave you with a strong defense if the standard speed limit is 30. Be careful to note the standard speed limit of any school zones you travel through, so you can avoid exceeding those speeds as well.
Electronic Signs Aren’t Always Correct
It’s common for school zone signs to turn on even when the schools are closed. This is especially true for things like vacations or temporary closings. Just because you are issued a ticket while the speed limit sign is flashing, doesn’t mean that you should be receiving that ticket. Always verify that school is in session while you’re getting the speeding ticket. If the school is closed you can often get out of the ticket before you ever make it to court.
Automatic Traffic Cameras May Issue Tickets During School Closures
Even though most police officers are unlikely to issue a speeding ticket for a motorist speeding in a school zone on a day when the schools are closed, traffic cameras are more likely to do so. In some states, traffic cameras take photos of motorists’ license plates and capture their speed in an effort to find them for speeding in school zones. These cameras may issue tickets during inappropriate times if they aren’t adjusted to avoid doing so. This is the perfect time when it’s so important to have a good defense attorney on your side, especially an attorney that specializes in traffic tickets. The right attorney will look at the evidence supplied by the camera and point out that the photo was taken during off-hours for the school. This one simple change could be what gets you out of a ticket entirely, or what reduces your charges substantially.
Work With An Attorney To Plead Your Innocence
If you are issued a speeding ticket for speeding in a school zone during a time when schools are closed, you have legal options available to you. You can plead not guilty and you will have a chance of getting a favorable ruling in court. The trick to making things go your way is to hire an experienced speeding ticket attorney to plead your case for you. With the right attorney on your side, you’ll understand what options are available to you and how to most effectively get out of your ticket.
Consider A Defensive Driving Course
No matter what the ruling is on your specific ticket, it’s a good idea to consider taking a defensive driving course after receiving the ticket. By taking the course you make it clear that you take safe driving seriously, which can improve your chances of success in court. Even if the course doesn’t help you win your case, you can benefit from a point reduction on your driving record as well as a discount from many insurance companies. The small investment in time and money to take one of these courses can have a significant impact on your life and save you much more.
You Can Still Get Your Fine Reduced
Speeding in a school zone often comes with a stiff fine. This isn’t a cost you would normally have to pay if you weren’t driving in an active school zone though. If you’re cited with a ticket for speeding near a school, and that school isn’t in session, a good lawyer may be able to get the fine reduced even if you’re still exceeding the surrounding speed limit. That’s why it’s best to consult a lawyer before paying speeding tickets, even if you believe you were at fault.
You may end up paying more money than necessary without legal help, and your driver’s record could be damaged more in the process as well. Not only could you end up paying a larger fine for getting charged with speeding in a school zone, but your insurance premium will likely increase by a greater amount as well. With help from a good traffic ticket lawyer, you can keep your insurance premiums down and save yourself money over time.
Address Speeding Ticket Attorney In Louisiana
It’s important to defend yourself whenever you believe you’re being treated unjustly. If you’re issued a parking ticket, a speeding ticket, or another traffic violation citation, make sure that you actually deserve to receive the ticket before paying. If you aren’t guilty, work with a lawyer to plead your case. By spending a small amount of time and money working with an attorney, you can save yourself a lot of money and also protect your driving record for additional savings later on when it’s time to renew your car insurance policy.
