Speeding Traffic Ticket Lawyer Columbus, Ohio

When choosing to hire a Columbus speeding ticket attorney, we all know that the decision generally comes down to financial considerations.  The cost to hire a Columbus traffic violation attorney can often be recovered by having the attorney negotiate for lower fines and/or a dismissal of the charges to keep your insurance rates from increasing.

The Maher Law Firm was founded by an experienced traffic lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, Colin Maher. He has assisted hundreds of accused speeders, developing effective defense strategies, and gaining invaluable experience in presenting effective explanations for why a speeding ticket was issued incorrectly or why the charge should be reduced to a less-serious offense.

We defend against all types of traffic violations in Columbus Ohio:

• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Driving after suspension
• Driving without insurance
• Commercial driver’s license tickets
• Reckless driving
• Running a red light
• Hit and Run
• Illegal turns
• Drunk driving (DWI/DUI)

The assistance of a traffic ticket attorney in Columbus, Ohio can make a big difference if you are facing speeding tickets and other associated traffic violations.

An Ohio speeding ticket is a citation issued when one is found to be driving above the speed limit set by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §4511.21. ORC §4511.21 sets the speed limits for highways and residential districts, and stipulates that no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater or less than is reasonable or proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the street or highway and any other conditions.

Speeding tickets have been on the rise in Ohio. Here’s a table with estimated numbers of speeding tickets issued in Ohio by year:

There are three types of speeding laws in Ohio: the basic speeding law, prima facie speed limits, and absolute speed limits.

1. Basic Speed Law:

• Requires drivers to operate their vehicles at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent under the circumstances.”
• This means considering factors like road conditions, traffic, and visibility.

2. Prima Facie Speed Limits:

• These are the posted speed limits on roads and highways.
• While prima facie speed limits are presumed to be reasonable, they are not absolute. If conditions warrant, drivers may exceed the posted limit without violating the law.

3. Absolute Speed Limits:

• These are speed limits that must be strictly adhered to, regardless of conditions.
• Absolute speed limits are typically found in school zones, work zones, or other areas where safety is a particular concern.

Violating these laws can result in various penalties and consequences, including the payment of fines, penalty points added to one’s record with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and possible loss of driving privileges. For more detail on Ohio Speeding Laws and penalties visit our blog: OHIO SPEEDING LAWS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Other Types of Speeding Tickets in Ohio

While the most common speeding ticket is for exceeding the posted speed limit, there are several other types of speeding violations in Ohio. Here are some of them:

1. Speeding in a Work Zone

• Violation: Driving above the posted speed limit in a construction or work zone.
• Consequences: Typically, fines are doubled or even tripled in work zones due to the increased risk to workers and other motorists.

2. Speeding in a School Zone

• Violation: Exceeding the speed limit in a designated school zone, especially during school hours.
• Consequences: Similar to work zones, fines are often increased due to the potential danger to children.

3. Racing Tickets

• Violation: Participating in a race or speed contest on a public road.
• Consequences: This is a more serious offense that can result in fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

4. Speed Not Reasonable and Prudent

• Violation: Driving at a speed that is unsafe for the conditions, regardless of the posted limit. This could include excessive speed in bad weather, heavy traffic, or around curves.
• Consequences: Fines and points on your license can be assessed.

5. Uber & Lyft Drivers

• Violation: While Uber and Lyft drivers are subject to the same traffic laws as other drivers, they may face additional consequences if caught speeding.
• Consequences: In addition to regular traffic fines, companies like Uber and Lyft may take disciplinary action against drivers who violate traffic laws.

The consequences of a speeding ticket in Ohio can include:

Fines: Drivers who receive a speeding ticket in Ohio can expect to pay fines. The amount of the fine will vary depending on the speed at which the driver was caught and the location of the offense.

Points on Driving Record: Speeding tickets can result in points being added to a driver’s record in Ohio. Accumulating too many points within a certain timeframe can lead to license suspension or revocation.

License Suspension: If you accumulate too many points on your license, you may face license suspension. This can have serious consequences, as it prevents you from driving legally.

Increase in Insurance Rates: Drivers who receive a speeding ticket may also experience an increase in their auto insurance rates. Insurance companies view speeding violations as an indication of increased risk, which could lead to higher premiums.

Attending Remedial Driving School: In some cases, drivers may have the option to have their points reduced by attending a remedial driving school3. Successfully completing this course allows drivers to earn a two-point credit on their driving record.

Job-related Consequences: A speeding ticket in Ohio can have job-related consequences for certain professions that require a clean driving record.

It’s important to note that the consequences of a speeding ticket can vary based on factors such as the severity of the offense and a driver’s past driving history. If you’ve received a speeding ticket, it may be beneficial to consult with our attorney or contact your local traffic court for specific information about your case.

Anyone who accumulates 12 points within a 24-month period will have their personal driver’s license and CDL suspended by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The suspension lasts six months then certain procedures will need to be followed to reinstate the license.

Hiring a skilled and dedicated Columbus, Ohio, speeding ticket lawyer to defend you is an excellent way to help ensure you keep your ability to drive.

More often than not, hiring a Columbus traffic violations attorney like Colin Maher can help you avoid appearing in court. He will go to court for you and promptly report important information as well as your options moving forward.

Simply paying your traffic ticket to avoid the hassle of court is one option that some people choose.  Paying the ticket is the same as going into court and pleading guilty to the charge or charges on your ticket.  Others may choose to try to fight the case on their own.

While either of these options may be appropriate in certain circumstances, it is wise to hire an experienced Columbus traffic defense attorney to guide you through the process.

There are many factors to consider, even when facing what most people think is a minor traffic offense. Depending on your prior driving record and the particular facts in your case, these minor traffic violations can become quite serious resulting in fines, points on your license, high insurance rates, suspensions of your driver’s license, probation and even jail time.

In order to protect yourself, you should consider at least talking to a Columbus traffic defense lawyer.

To increase your chances of beating a speeding ticket in Ohio, there are several steps you can consider taking:

Review the ticket for errors: Carefully examine the citation for any mistakes or inaccuracies. Any errors or discrepancies in the ticket could potentially provide grounds for dismissal.

Gather evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as photographs, videos, or witness statements. This evidence can help challenge the accuracy of the alleged speeding offense or establish mitigating circumstances.

Consult an attorney: If you’re unsure about how to proceed or want professional guidance, it may be beneficial to consult with a traffic ticket attorney. They can provide advice based on their knowledge of Ohio traffic laws and experience in handling similar cases.

Consider attending traffic school: In some cases, attending a defensive driving course or traffic school may help in reducing or dismissing the charges. The court might be more lenient if you show a willingness to improve your driving skills.

Challenge the evidence and procedures: You can question the accuracy of the speed-measuring device used by the officer or challenge the procedures they followed during the traffic stop. It may be helpful to research Ohio’s specific laws and regulations around traffic enforcement to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Explain Circumstances: Present any mitigating factors that might reduce the severity of the offense, such as:

• Emergency: If you were rushing to an emergency situation, explain the circumstances.
• Vehicle Malfunction: If a mechanical issue caused you to speed unintentionally, provide evidence.
• Mistaken Identification: If you believe you were mistaken for another driver, try to prove your innocence.

Negotiate a Plea Deal

• Traffic School: Offer to complete a defensive driving course in exchange for a reduced fine or dismissal of the ticket.
• Reduced Charges: Negotiate a plea to a lesser charge, such as a moving violation, which may result in lower fines and points.

Appear in court and present your defense: Enter a plea of “not guilty” and appear in court for your scheduled hearing. Present your evidence, challenge the prosecution’s case, and explain your side of the story.

Please note, the effectiveness of these strategies can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case. It is always advisable to consult with an attorney for personalized legal advice.

A Columbus traffic defense attorney can help you fight traffic violations in a number of ways. Some of the benefits of hiring an Ohio speeding ticket lawyer include:

• Bring unique experience and legal understanding to the table
• Gather evidence on your behalf
• Provide legal advice and guidance
• Protect your rights
• Skilled Negotiation and Representation
• Minimizing Negative Consequences
• Reputation and Experience

There are several common speeding ticket myths that should be debunked. Here are a few examples:

Myth: If someone else is driving my vehicle, I won’t be held responsible for the speeding ticket.
Fact: Regardless of who is driving the vehicle, the registered owner is generally responsible for any speeding ticket received while their vehicle is in motion.

Myth: Radar guns are always accurate, and it’s impossible to challenge their readings.
Fact: While radar guns are commonly used for speed enforcement, they can have potential inaccuracies. It is possible to challenge the accuracy of a radar gun reading in certain circumstances, such as if the device was not calibrated correctly or if there were obstacles that could have affected the reading.

Myth: A radar detector will always help me avoid speeding tickets.
Fact: While radar detectors can warn drivers of radar signals, they are not foolproof and can be limited in detecting certain types of speed enforcement methods, such as laser-based devices. Additionally, the use of radar detectors may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Myth: Speeding tickets can be easily dismissed if there is a mistake on the ticket.
Fact: A small mistake or error on a speeding ticket, such as a misspelled name or incorrect vehicle information, is generally not enough to get the ticket dismissed. However, substantial errors or inconsistencies may provide grounds for a defense.

Myth: Police officers need to show up in court for a speeding ticket to be dropped.
Fact: While it is true that a police officer’s presence in court may be necessary for certain types of traffic violations, such as DUI cases, it is not a requirement for all speeding ticket cases. Each jurisdiction may have different procedures, and the specific circumstances of the case can also affect whether an officer’s presence is required.

It’s important to consult with a legal professional if you have specific questions or concerns regarding a speeding ticket, as laws and procedures may vary by jurisdiction.

A Columbus, Ohio, traffic ticket attorney can question many things about why his client was cited for speeding, how the officer who issued the ticket recorded the suspect’s speed, and whether the radar or timing device used by the officer worked correctly and was operated properly.

Records and other evidence a Columbus traffic defense attorney will analyze for his speeding ticket client will answer the following questions:

• Was the speed measuring device calibrated correctly?
• Does a defense expert have reasons to argue that the device was not working as designed or not used correctly?
• Was the citation correctly filled out and properly filed with the court?
• If the ticket was amended, was that done legally and with appropriate notice to the defendant and his or her lawyer?
• Can a brief burst of speed be explained by a need to move out of the way of an emergency vehicle or avoid a safety hazard?

For a relatively small fee, you can have an experienced Columbus traffic attorney by your side throughout the entire process. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to have your charges reduced or even dismissed.

Our Columbus traffic lawyer has personally handled thousands of cases. Should you choose to hire The Maher Law Firm, Colin Maher will keep you fully informed and answer any questions you have along the way.

If you are seeing this page, you or someone you know probably has a traffic ticket in Columbus Ohio or one of the surrounding area mayor’s courts.  You’ve come to the right place.  Our Columbus traffic lawyers have been handling criminal and traffic cases in Columbus for over a decade.

Given the amount of cases Colin has handled, he has likely had one exactly like yours. Colin has handled everything from speeding tickets to driving under suspension to operating a vehicle under the influence or OVI.

Some Columbus, Ohio traffic tickets only carry fines and points while others carry potential jail time and license suspensions. While the penalties for your first Columbus traffic ticket may seem minimal, these cases are just as important as any that follow.

Penalties begin to snowball with every traffic offense following your first and a positive result on your first ticket will help us get better results on any subsequent tickets you may accrue.

Having a traffic ticket attorney in Columbus, Ohio on your side will be a huge benefit in most cases.

Colin Maher is happy to chat with you about your case over the phone free of charge.  If he can’t help you, he will at least try to point you in the right direction.  If he can help you, he will tell you exactly what his flat fee will bethen let you decide if you want to move forward. There is absolutely no pressure on you to accept following a quote.

Colin’s hope is, by only helping people he can actually help, clients will be happy so they come back if they need future help or refer friends and family members when they have Columbus traffic tickets.

Don’t be afraid to reach out; he’s here to help. To connect with experienced Columbus traffic defense attorney Colin Maher, please call him at 614-205-2208.  He will give you a free flat fee quote over the phone and tell you what he believes he can do to help.

If you have a traffic ticket in any of those courts, we will help you for legal representation.

Our Columbus traffic lawyer handles traffic tickets in Franklin County Municipal Court, Madison County Municipal Court, Marysville Municipal Court, and all of the Columbus Ohio mayor’s courts.  This includes Bexley Mayor’s Court, Brice Mayor’s Court, Canal Winchester Mayor’s Court, Dublin Mayor’s Court, Gahanna Mayor’s Court, Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court, Grove City Mayor’s Court, Groveport Mayor’s Court, Hilliard Mayor’s, Marble Cliff Mayor’s Court, Minerva Park Mayor’s Court, New Albany Mayor’s Court, Obetz Mayor’s Court, Reynoldsburg Mayor’s Court, Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court, Valleyview Mayor’s Court, Westerville Mayor’s Court, Whitehall Mayor’s Court, and Worthington Mayor’s Court.

How long does it take to get a traffic ticket dismissed?

The timeframe for resolving a traffic ticket can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the court’s schedule. A traffic lawyer can provide a more accurate estimate based on your case.

What is the statute of limitations on Ohio speeding ticket?

The statute of limitations on Ohio speeding tickets typically varies depending on the severity of the offense. For most misdemeanor speeding violations, the statute of limitations is six months. However, more serious offenses, such as reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter, may have longer statutes of limitations. It’s always advisable to consult with an attorney, like Colin Maher, for specific information regarding your case.

Should I plead guilty to a speeding ticket in Ohio?

Whether or not to plead guilty to a speeding ticket in Ohio depends on several factors, including:

• The severity of the offense: More serious speeding violations, such as those in school or work zones, or excessive speeding, may have harsher penalties.
• Your driving record: If you have a clean driving record, pleading guilty to a speeding ticket could lead to increased insurance premiums.
• The potential consequences: Consider the impact of a conviction on your license, insurance, and future job prospects.

It’s highly recommended to consult with a traffic ticket attorney, like Colin Maher, to discuss your specific situation and determine the best course of action.

What to do when you get pulled over for a Speeding Ticket

When pulled over for a speeding ticket, remain calm and cooperative. Gather your documents (license, registration, insurance), understand the citation, and decide whether to plead guilty, plead not guilty, or request a trial. Consider consulting with a traffic ticket attorney for advice on your specific situation.

My court date is today. Can you still represent me?

If your court date is today, it’s generally too late to hire an attorney for representation. Legal proceedings typically require advance preparation and time for the attorney to review your case and develop a strategy. However, it’s still recommended to contact Colin Maher to discuss your options.

What if I missed my court date?

If you missed your court date, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. This can lead to serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, or even jail time.

It’s important to contact the court immediately to explain the situation and request a new hearing date. You may also need to hire an attorney to help you navigate the legal process and potentially avoid negative consequences.

I can’t find my ticket. Can you look it up for me?

Yes, our Columbus traffic ticket attorney can often look up your ticket information. They may be able to do this by using your driver’s license number, the date of the violation, or other relevant information.

What if I have a Commercial Driver’s License?

If you have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a speeding ticket can have significant consequences. A conviction could result in points on your CDL, which can impact your ability to drive commercially. In some cases, multiple violations can lead to license suspension or revocation.

It’s highly recommended to consult with our CDL attorney who specializes in these cases.

How can I mail a speeding ticket in Ohio?

To mail a speeding ticket in Ohio, you’ll typically need to follow the instructions provided on the ticket itself. These instructions will usually include the address where you should send your payment or plea.

Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor in Ohio?

Typically, speeding tickets in Ohio are considered misdemeanors. However, the specific classification can vary depending on the severity of the offense and the driver’s driving record.

It’s important to consult with an attorney to understand the specific charges and potential consequences associated with your speeding ticket.

Can you look up speeding tickets online in Ohio?

Yes, you can often look up speeding tickets online in Ohio. Many courts have online databases.

Does Ohio add points for speeding tickets out of state?

Yes, Ohio does add points to your driving record for speeding tickets received out of state.

Do all Ohio speeding tickets go to court?

No, not all Ohio speeding tickets go to court. In many cases, you have the option to plead guilty and pay a fine without appearing in court.

CALL COLUMBUS SPEEDING TICKET ATTORNEY – 614.205.2208

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