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Traffic Tickets & Offenses
Ann Arbor Traffic Lawyer Defends Infraction Tickets
Most people will receive a traffic ticket in the course of their lifetime. Most times, these tickets are for speeding, but you can also receive infractions for parking, failure to yield, disobeying traffic signals and even improper lane use, to name a few. Many of these are a hit on your driving record, which can cost you higher insurance premiums for several years. However, contrary to what most people believe, you don’t have to pay the traffic ticket. You generally have two options in Michigan for fighting traffic tickets, with an Ann Arbor traffic lawyer.
- Sam Bernstein, an experienced Ann Arbor traffic lawyer and the ArborYpsi Law team, can go to court on your behalf and speak to the prosecuting attorney. In fact, you don’t even need to attend court because an attorney can do this for you. We can work with the prosecutor to dismiss the ticket in exchange for a ticket that is a non-moving violation, which has zero points and will not go on your driving record.
- The second option is for you to contest the ticket in a hearing. A formal hearing will be held in which it is the prosecutor’s burden to prove you committed the civil infraction. The formal hearing is like a mini-trial. In the hearing, the police officer or witness will testify, and you may testify as well. As your lawyer, we will cross-examine the witnesses, help you tell your story, and argue your case to the judge. The judge makes the final decision. The prosecutor’s burden of proof is the preponderance of the evidence, which is much lower than the burden of beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal case.
Michigan’s Point System for Traffic Offenses
Under Michigan law, tickets have a point system, which impacts your insurance rates. If you have too many points, the Secretary of State’s office may even require you to appear at a driver licensing re-examination hearing, and the results could include license sanctions or suspension.
Here are some common Michigan Traffic Citations and the point penalties associated with them.
- Accident – Failure to Stop or ID after Personal Injury – 6 points, misdemeanor
- Accident – Failure to Stop or ID after Property Damage – 6 points, misdemeanor
- Accident – Hit and Run – 6 points
- Careless Driving – 3 points
- Disobey Stop Sign – 3 points
- Disobey Traffic Signal – 3 points
- Drag Racing – 4 points, misdemeanor
- Driving While License Suspended/Revoked/Denied – 2 points, misdemeanor, additional suspension
- Diving Without Due Care and Caution – 2 points
- Failure to Dim Lights – 2 points
- Failure to Signal – 2 points
- Failure to Stop within Clear Distance – 2 points
- Failure to Yield – 2 points
- Failure to Yield to Emergency Responder – 2 points
- Improper Passing – 3 points
- Improper Turn – 2 points
- Open Container of an Intoxicant in a Motor Vehicle – misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving – 6 points, misdemeanor, a 90-day suspension
- Speeding 5 MPH over – 1 point
- Speeding 10 MPH over – 2 points
- Speeding up through 15 MPH – 3 points
- Speeding over 15 MPH – 4 points
- Violation of Basic Speeding Laws – 2 points
Contact an Ann Arbor Traffic Attorney
If you are facing drag racing, reckless or careless driving, failure to stop, identify after a personal injury accident, or property damage accident, you should contact an experienced Ann Arbor traffic lawyer to review your case immediately.
Sam Bernstein at ArborYpsi Law can review your case and provide you with top notch legal representation for these complicated matters that could have long-lasting consequences. Our initial consultations are always free, so contact our team today to arrange an appointment.