Traffic Violations Attorney in Independence, Missouri

According to statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 124,483 speeding citations and traffic tickets were issued statewide in 2016. In the state of Missouri, common traffic violations include speeding, careless driving, DUI/DWI, running red lights, parking too far from the curb or near a fire hydrant. Committing any of these traffic violations may result in speeding tickets, demerit points, fines, or other penalties.

If you have received a ticket for a traffic violation, hiring a skilled Missouri traffic violations attorney immediately is crucial to protect your rights. Attorney Michael J. Englert is committed to providing experienced legal guidance and strong representation to clients in their traffic violation cases. As your legal counsel, he will evaluate and investigate every detail of your case and determine the best way to fight your Missouri traffic issues. Michael will fight to protect your rights, defend your driving privileges, and attempt to keep your driving record as clean as possible.

Michael J Englert, Attorney at Law, is proud to serve clients in Independence, Missouri, and the surrounding areas of Blue Springs and Lee's Summit.

Traffic Violations

Traffic violations occur when a motorist violates laws regulating motor vehicle operation on highways and streets. In Missouri, traffic violations are categorized into moving or non-moving violations.

Moving Violations

A moving violation occurs when a motorist breaks a traffic law while the vehicle is moving. Common examples of moving violations include:

• Speeding

• Reckless driving

• Running red lights

• Failing to yield the right of way

• Failing to maintain a single lane

• Driving while under the influence (DWI)

• Driving with an expired or suspended driver's license

• Hit and run accidents

• Driving without car insurance

• Making improper lane changes

Non-Moving Violations

A non-moving violation is a traffic infraction that involves a motor vehicle that is stationary. Common types of non-moving violations include:

• Parking in a no-parking zone

• Parking too close to a fire hydrant

• Parking at an expired parking meter

• Parking in front of a driveway

• Having expired motor vehicle plates

• Not having the required documents or legal paperwork

• Having a broken headlight or taillight

• Failing to display a fuel license/permit

• Having broken or missing mirrors

• Having no license plate

Moving violations put pedestrians, road users, and other motorists at risk, so these kinds of traffic violations are often punished severely.

Traffic Violation Fines and Penalties

A driver who violates a traffic law in Missouri may receive a traffic ticket, fine, or other penalties. The penalties for various traffic violations are determined by the Missouri point system.

Traffic Violation Points

• Speeding ticket issued by a county or municipal police officer — 2 points

• Speeding ticket issued by a state police officer — 3 points

• Failure to maintain a single lane — 2 points

• Running a red light — 2 points

• Careless and imprudent driving — 2 points

• Failure to yield right-of-way — 2 points

• Not carrying adequate car insurance — 2 points

• Following too closely — 2 points

• No driver's license — 2 points

• Driving with a suspended license — 12 points

Potential Punishments

Advisory Letter

If you accumulate four points in 12 months, the Missouri Department of Revenue will send you a point accumulation advisory letter.

License Suspension

The Department of Revenue’s License Bureau will suspend your driving privilege for accumulating eight or more points in 18 months.

• 1st suspension — 30 days

• 2nd suspension — 60 days

• 3rd or more suspensions — 90 days

Licenses Revocation

The Department of Revenue’s License Bureau will revoke your driving privilege for one year if you accumulate:

• 12 or more points in 12 months

• 18 or more points in 24 months

• 24 or more points in 36 months

Fighting a Traffic Violation

Fighting traffic violations is important to get the judge to reduce fines, avoid additional punishment, or eventually beat the ticket. An attorney can help fight a traffic violation by:

• Disputing the officer's account of what really happened

• Disputing the evidence against you

• Showing that it was a mistake of fact

• Establishing that your actions were lawfully justified

• Establishing that your conduct was required to avoid harm

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

Fighting your speeding tickets, fines, or other traffic violations by yourself could expose you to the possibility of receiving the maximum penalties. With demerit point values on your driving record, a traffic violation conviction could make you lose your driving privileges, face massive fines, possible prison sentences, have increased auto insurance rates, and other life-altering consequences. Retaining an experienced traffic violations attorney is paramount to protect your legal rights and driving privileges.

Attorney Michael J. Englert has the experience and resources to represent and help clients deal with their traffic violations. He will review all the surrounding facts of your case, help you understand your possible legal options, and outline a strong defense for your situation. As your legal counsel, he will fight to refute the allegations against you with substantial evidence. Using his extensive knowledge and legal understanding of Missouri traffic laws, he will represent you diligently in traffic court and help you pursue a favorable outcome in your traffic violation case.