| This article will help motorists with a New York traffic | | | | the next step is to find an attorney who is |
| ticket select the right NY traffic lawyer to defend | | | | experienced in vehicle and traffic law matters. Start by |
| them. Traffic tickets, such as speeding, red light and | | | | asking the attorney or the firm's paralegal about the |
| failure to signal, can result in points on your New York | | | | firm's traffic law experience and, in particular, their |
| driver license, automobile insurance increases and fines, | | | | previous experience at the court where you case is |
| surcharges and fees. Therefore, picking the right New | | | | scheduled. Have they appeared in this court before? |
| York traffic ticket attorney is critical. | | | | What was the result? Is this the primary type of law |
| More and more motorists are retaining a New York | | | | which they handle? Of course, you may not get |
| traffic ticket lawyer when they are issued a NY traffic | | | | honest or direct answers but that is a good start. |
| ticket. In addition to receiving professional advice from | | | | You then can ask about any articles the lawyer has |
| a knowledgeable traffic ticket attorney, drivers are | | | | written on that subject and ask to see one of them. |
| anxious to transfer this stressful and time-consuming | | | | Chances are an attorney who has taken the time to |
| responsibility to someone else. | | | | write one or more vehicle and traffic law articles is |
| The first thing that you should do is make sure you are | | | | someone who you can rely on to be experienced and |
| calling or emailing an actual New York traffic ticket | | | | knowledgeable. |
| attorney or New York traffic law firm. While this | | | | Yet another important item to check is the attorney's |
| sounds obvious, the internet is replete with non-lawyers | | | | background. Did he or she graduate from a quality law |
| trying to make a quick buck. The most obvious tell-tale | | | | school, were they on Law Review, have they won |
| sign is when the site or the site's ad states something | | | | any awards, did they previously work at a court and |
| like "If We Don't Win, You Don't Pay 100%" or | | | | or large law firm. Were they formerly a traffic judge or |
| "Guaranteed or your money back". It is entirely | | | | traffic prosecutor? The more impressive the attorney's |
| unethical for an attorney to guarantee results and, | | | | background the better. |
| therefore, you should stay clear from such quick buck | | | | Be wary of an attorney who does not set forth his or |
| artists. No honest, self-respecting attorney would ever | | | | her education and prior experience. It is safe to |
| make such a representation. In fact, common sense | | | | assume that in such cases the attorney's background |
| dictates that no one can guarantee what some third | | | | is less than impressive. |
| party (a judge or prosecutor) will do. If you are lucky, | | | | Another important consideration is the comfort level |
| the fine print will explain what is actually being | | | | you get when speaking with the law firm. Were they |
| "guaranteed". Either way, however, is caveat emptor - | | | | responsive to questions? Were you given |
| buyer beware - for those fooled by such promises. | | | | understandable and sensible answers? Were they |
| Similarly, I recommend avoiding any web site that lists | | | | knowledgeable? Were they honest with you about the |
| itself as a directory of traffic lawyers or offers to find | | | | prospects for success? Were they patient? If you do |
| you the "right" lawyer. Those sites are simply | | | | not feel comfortable, then its time to make another |
| middlemen often looking to add something to your fee | | | | telephone call. |
| for generating a lead to a real traffic lawyer. From the | | | | A good and honest traffic ticket lawyer will inquire |
| outset until the end of the case, you want to be | | | | whether it even makes sense for you to fight this |
| dealing directly with a law firm (not some middleman) | | | | ticket and/or hire a traffic lawyer. For example, if the |
| especially if a question or problem arises. | | | | ticket carries no points or you have an out-of-state |
| If you have any doubt, check the physical location of | | | | license and points do not transfer, it usually does not |
| the "firm". If they do not have a New York State | | | | make sense to hire a New York traffic ticket attorney. |
| address (or do not even list an address), there is a | | | | The final consideration is price. I have ended with this |
| good chance that you are not dealing with an actual | | | | important item because many prospective clients put |
| lawyer or law firm. A New York traffic lawyer is | | | | way too much emphasis on this consideration and |
| required to list his office address on all advertising | | | | ignore all the others mentioned in this article. |
| which includes his or her web site. | | | | Nevertheless, you should look for an attorney that will |
| On this point, make sure the lawyer's office is "real". | | | | take your case for a flat fee. This way there is no |
| This means there is a staff member of the lawyer | | | | surprises for you when the case is over. Many New |
| available during regular business to answer questions | | | | York traffic ticket lawyer will offer a flat fee so you |
| and arrange for an attorney to get back to you, if | | | | do not have to settle for someone who charges by |
| needed. Do not mistake an answering service | | | | the hour or cannot give you a fee upfront. |
| operator for an actual law firm employee. If the | | | | Also, just because one attorney is a $100 (or so) |
| "representative" cannot answer basic questions and | | | | cheaper does not mean you should select that one. |
| tells you that someone will get back to you, then you | | | | Your driver license is an important privilege and you do |
| are likely dealing with an outside answering service. An | | | | not want to hand this responsibility to just anyway, |
| attorney who does not maintain a "real" office cannot | | | | especially when you likely will not be in court when the |
| be as responsive to your needs and, therefore, is not | | | | case is resolved. |
| recommended. | | | | I would say you generally do not want the cheapest |
| Yet another consideration is how promptly does the | | | | lawyer to handle your case nor the most expensive. |
| lawyer or his firm got back to you once you have | | | | Look for someone whose fee is reasonable. |
| made your initial inquiry. The faster the response, the | | | | Otherwise, the old adage "You get what you pay for" |
| more likely you are speaking to an attorney or firm | | | | may rear its ugly head. |
| who is organized, and will be diligent and thorough in | | | | Choosing the right New York traffic ticket lawyer is an |
| handling your case. | | | | important decision. I hope this article is helpful in making |
| Once you have eliminated the middlemen, directory | | | | it. |
| sites, non-lawyers and the lawyers without real offices, | | | | |