Should You Fight Your Speeding Ticket?
Most drivers pay their speeding tickets without question. That's a mistake. A single speeding conviction can raise your insurance premiums by 15–30% for three to five years — often costing more than the fine itself.
Before writing that check, understand your options.
Your Three Options
1. Pay the fine The fastest option, but it's an admission of guilt. Points go on your record, and your insurer will likely raise your rates at renewal.
2. Traffic school In many states, completing an approved defensive driving course can mask the ticket from your insurer. But it only works once every 12–18 months, and you still pay the fine.
3. Hire a traffic attorney A licensed local attorney can appear in court on your behalf, negotiate with the prosecutor, and often get the ticket dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation — with no points.
Common Defenses That Work
The Officer's Radar Wasn't Calibrated
Speed-detection equipment requires regular calibration. If the officer can't produce calibration records, the reading may be inadmissible.
The Officer Didn't Show Up
Traffic court is surprisingly lax. If the citing officer doesn't appear for the hearing, cases are often dismissed on the spot.
Incorrect Information on the Ticket
A mistake on the citation — wrong date, wrong vehicle description, wrong location — can be grounds for dismissal in some jurisdictions.
"Absolute Necessity" or Emergency
If you were speeding to avoid a genuine emergency (a medical crisis, avoiding a collision), this defense can sometimes succeed.
What an Attorney Actually Does for You
When you hire a traffic defense attorney through BeatMyTicket:
- Review your citation for errors and viable defenses
- Enter your not-guilty plea and request a hearing
- Negotiate with the prosecutor before the court date
- Appear in court on your behalf — you don't have to go
- Report the outcome and handle any follow-up paperwork
Most traffic cases settle before trial. An experienced local attorney knows which prosecutors are open to deals and which judges prefer certain arguments.
How Much Does It Cost?
Traffic attorneys on BeatMyTicket charge a flat fee, typically $150–$499 depending on the violation, court, and state. That's often less than the insurance premium increase from a single conviction.
You see the exact fee before you commit — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices.
Ready to Fight?
Upload your citation at BeatMyTicket and get matched with a licensed local attorney in minutes. Free to start, no commitment until you choose your attorney.