How We Help With Missouri Tickets
In Missouri, the traffic ticket legal system is based on an adversary system. You're innocent until proven guilty. Most traffic ticket cases can be plea bargained as long as the attorney is ready, willing and able to take a case to trial, because generally speaking, it is quite expensive to conduct trials in traffic ticket cases. The plea bargain, if one is offered, usually involves a guilty plea to a lesser offense to minimize the harmful effects of a conviction on a driver's record. The state or city will usually ask for a higher fine and court costs, and there might be a period of probation. The end result is no conviction on the record and thereby no insurance increase or points problem or suspension.
Information about Missouri's "Point System"
If one gets a ticket, a designated number of points is recorded on an individual's driving record. Speeding tickets, for example, are assessed two points or three points depending on whether it was in violation of a state law or municipal/city ordinance. DWI convictions are eight points for a first offense. Careless driving 2 or 4 points depending on whether the the ticket was issued by the state or a city or county officer.
In a nutshell, if a driver accumulates 8 points in an 18-month period his/her license is suspended for 30 days. 12 points in 12 months, the license is revoked for a year.
Points and convictions remain on the record and are removed and/or reduced after periods of driving with no conviction. In brief, it takes approx. 3 years of driving without convictions for the driving record to be cleared.
Speeding tickets, for example, are assessed two points or three points depending on whether it was in violation of a state law or municipal/city ordinance. DWI convictions are eight points for a first offense. Careless driving 2 or 4 points depending on whether the the ticket was issued by the state or a city or county officer. 12 points in 12 months, the license is revoked for a year. Points and convictions remain on the record and are removed and/or reduced after periods of driving with no conviction. In brief,
The Traffic Law Center has online access to driving records and court information, so whenever a client is in need of analysis of his/her driving record, we have instant access to the information. Thereby, we can give information as to the number of points, suspensions, convictions, revocations as to any particular driver's record.
Missouri also notifies the home state of non-residents of the state of convictions. So, eventually, a traffic ticket in Missour will follow the driver home, and the home state will treat the ticket the same as if it happened in the home state.
Once a traffic ticket goes on the record as a conviction, it is very, very difficult to get it taken off the record.
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How We Help With Illinois Tickets
By Todd Taplin, Attorney at Law
The Traffic Law Center represents clients in over 40 Illinois counties and the United States District Court in East St. Louis. Most courts do not require clients to appear in court when clients are represented by attorneys.
Most Illinois courts use court supervision to dispose of minor traffic tickets. When a person is placed on court supervision, no conviction is entered. The person pleads guilty to the charge, is ordered to pay a fine, and agrees to stay out of any further trouble. Supervision can be from 30 days to two years. Court supervision is usually not published to the driver?s insurance company or employer.
Whether or not a person is eligible for court supervision depends on several factors:
- the nature of the offense;
- the person's history of driving offenses; and
- the policy of the county in which the offense occurs.
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How We Help with "Missouri &/Or Kansas Tickets (Near KC)"
By Matt McLane, Attorney at Law
Our Kansas City office is responsible for the western half of Missouri.
Through the years, we have built solid relationships with the prosecutors in each court who determine whether your ticket is eligible for an amendment. Generally, an agreement can be made that results in the amendment of your ticket to a no-point violation, such as defective equipment or no-point speeding infraction. However, the fine assessed is generally increased per the agreement. It is the price you pay for avoiding increased insurance premiums caused by a conviction. Our attorneys will travel within 100 mile radius of Kansas City in order to defend cases that require personal appearances. Alcohol-related cases and driving while suspended cases are the most common cases involving appearances in court. You should contact us by phone to discuss the details of your case. Always remember that insurance companies base their auto premiums on, among other things, your driving record.
Our Kansas City office also handles cases in Kansas. Johnson and Wyandotte counties are the primary source of our Kansas caseload. However, we have created good relationships with prosecutors throughout the state, allowing for a fast, yet thorough method of resolving your traffic tickets. Kansas, like Missouri, records court convictions on your driving record, thus allowing insurance companies a basis for increasing premiums. Kansas prosecutors, like their Missouri colleagues, consider various factors when determining eligibility for an amendment or diversion of your ticket. You should contact our office to determine if you qualify. Alcohol-related charges are much more complex and certainly require your appearance in court. Our attorneys require a conference with you prior to your court date to determine fees, course of action, and trial strategies. Due to increased awareness and consequences for DUI’s, we highly recommend you consult our attorneys before entering diversion agreements in the state of Kansas.
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