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Traffic Tickets
Traffic tickets were once a matter of minor inconvenience for drivers but this is no longer true. Insurance companies have become keen to raise rates and in many instances, the cost spent retaining an experienced attorney to represent you on traffic matters is more than saved by keeping lower insurance rates. This is so even in cases were one ticket wouldn’t raise rates, as subsequent tickets make it more likely that rates will go up.
Driving is very important in most people’s lives and anything that impairs a person’s ability to drive should be taken seriously. Even minor speeding tickets can have a big impact on a person’s ability to drive if a person gets too many. Have your attorney keep these violations off your record, or at least keep them to a minimum. Once your driving record is blemished with legal violations or at fault accidents, your insurance goes up and doesn't come back down for several years. You will spend significantly more on your insurance in the long run if you try to proceed without legal representation, especially if an accident is involved. Here is a short list of some common violations where an attorney should be able to assist you: Speeding tickets No proof of insurance
Refusal to Submit to a Preliminary Breath Test Transporting an Open Container Improper Stop or Turn Signal Failure to Register a Vehicle Failure to Wear a Seatbelt Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle Driving under suspended or while revoked Vehicular manslaughter/homicide Accident tickets: * reckless driving or "careless and imprudent" If you pick up a traffic ticket that involved an accident, you are best advised to get an attorney immediately and please, I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT apologize for your actions. At this stage, you could get sued for large amounts of money as a result of both property damage and any medical bills that were caused by the accident. And, just because you weren't made aware of any property damage or injuries at the time, doesn't mean that they won't crop up a few days later. After the shock of a car crash, it can take awhile before you calm down enough to realize you're injured. The point is, avoid any tendency to express regret for an unfortunate situation, as it could be considered a confession of guilt or an admission of liability, both criminal and civil. Littering Is Expensive!
Littering is now a criminal activity where is additional violation becomes more and more expensive. Per K.S.A. 21-3722: Criminal littering is intentionally or recklessly depositing or causing to be deposited any object or substance into, upon or about: (1) Any public street, highway, alley, road, right-of-way, park or other public place, or any lake, stream, watercourse, or other body of water, except by direction of some public officer or employee authorized by law to direct or permit such acts; or (2) Any private property without the consent of the owner or occupant of such property. (b) Criminal littering is an unclassified misdemeanor punishable: (1) Upon a first conviction by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000; (2) upon a second conviction by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000; and (3) upon a third or subsequent conviction by a fine of not less than $2,000 nor more than $4,000. (c) In addition to the fines in subsection (b), a person convicted of littering shall be required to pick up litter for a time prescribed by and a place within the jurisdiction of the court.
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