Is Speeding a Misdemeanor?

There can be a lot of nuance between how speeding tickets are handled depending on where you get the ticket. Speeding tickets are rarely misdemeanor offenses. An offense becomes a misdemeanor when jail time becomes a part of the potential sentence, and a traffic infraction is when you can pay off the ticket without appearing but you still have the right to contest the ticket if you choose.

Most traffic violations are technically misdemeanor offenses. That is why it is important to hire an attorney to represent you in traffic court. Not only can you have a serious implications for your driving record, your insurance rates, and the fine you pay, but most importantly, in some instances you are looking at jail time.

The faster you are going on a speeding ticket the closer you get to facing jail time for the offense. In some instances if you are driving so fast the ticket will actually be written up as a careless or reckless operation of vehicle. These tickets are very serious as they carry suspensions on your driving privileges as well as the potential for jail time.

In some jurisdictions, St. Tammany for example, if you are going over 25 mph above the speed limit, the Judge may put you in jail for 2 days. Jefferson Parish will not put you in jail but the fine will be upwards of 450 dollars in some cases.

Don’t look at traffic tickets as no big deal. The laws are written in a way that give Judges and Prosecutors lots of leeway as it relates to traffic infractions. It is always a good idea to hire an attorney to go with you to Court on a traffic matter, if for no other reason than you will have a lawyer who can navigate the process faster.

The other important reasons are that a lawyer will know the law and be able to either negotiate a plea deal that does not result in jail time or an impact on your insurance; use the law to get the case dismissed if there are any technical violations; or force the prosecutor to go to trial which in many instances helps either get the case dismissed or reduced.

Call us TODAY if you have a traffic ticket you need help with. The sooner we can get involved, the easier it will be to obtain a favorable outcome for you. Remember … When No One’s Carin’ Call McLaren! 504-300-8338.