Did a police officer pull you over in Los Angeles, California, and issue a citation for a minor infraction? Whether for a rolling stop, an improper lane change, or driving slightly above the speed limit, the total cost can add up quickly.
A conviction may add points to your driver’s license record, increase your auto insurance rates, and result in substantial fines. A Los Angeles minor traffic violation attorney at Fight My Ticket can evaluate your citation and help you determine the best path forward. Text (323) 435-6045 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Fight My Ticket for Your Traffic Citation?
Many drivers simply pay a minor traffic ticket to resolve the matter quickly. However, that choice often leads to higher long-term expenses than the initial fine. Early legal representation can protect your driving record and keep your insurance premiums manageable.
Drivers across Los Angeles choose our firm because:
- Our firm has stood beside California motorists in traffic court since the 1990s
- Nine in ten Southern California infraction cases we handle end with the ticket dropped or the charge lowered
- One fixed price and no billable hours running in the background
- A complimentary first review of your ticket, where we lay out what you can do next
- We take the courtroom trip for you in most infraction cases
Contact us today to have our Los Angeles traffic ticket attorneys evaluate your citation.
Overview of Minor Moving Violations
A moving violation is any traffic offense committed while a vehicle is operating. Minor moving violations are classified as infractions and do not carry jail time.
Common examples include:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit
- Failing to stop at a red light
- Failing to make a complete stop at a stop sign
- Making unsignaled or unsafe lane changes
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Executing illegal turns or U-turns
- Failing to use turn signals properly
- Operating a handheld wireless device while driving
In contrast, non-moving violations, such as parking tickets or equipment failures, typically do not add points to your driver’s license record.
What Offenses Are Not Considered Minor?
Not every traffic charge is an infraction. Some violations are misdemeanors or even felonies, and they carry penalties like jail time, probation, and a criminal record. Examples include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs under Vehicle Code 23152.
- Driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety under Vehicle Code 23103. (Reckless driving).
- Hit and run, i.e., leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or property damage.
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license
- Street racing and speed contests, including exhibitions of speed.
- Evading a police officer in a vehicle.
- Vehicular manslaughter, meaning a death caused by unlawful or negligent driving.
If your citation lists one of these, do not treat it as a routine ticket. Call a Los Angeles traffic ticket lawyer before your court date.
California DMV Point System
Most minor moving violations result in one point being placed on your California driving record, where it can remain for several years. The DMV monitors points through the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) and may take administrative action if you accumulate:
- 4 points within a 12-month period
- 6 points within a 24-month period
- 8 points within a 36-month period
While a single ticket may not jeopardize your driving privileges, subsequent violations can quickly lead to license suspension.
Insurance Impact of Minor Traffic Violations
Insurance carriers regularly review driving records during policy renewals. A point from a moving violation can result in higher auto insurance rates for three to five years, often surpassing the cost of the initial fine.
In many situations, eligible drivers may attend a state-approved traffic safety course. Completing traffic school prevents the violation point from appearing on your public driving record and being accessed by insurance providers.
Traffic school eligibility is typically limited to once every 18 months, and certain severe violations do not qualify. Furthermore, electing traffic school waives your right to contest the citation, making it important to determine if a full dismissal is possible first.
Options for Handling Your Traffic Ticket
Drivers receiving a minor traffic citation generally have three primary courses of action:
- Pay the fine to resolve the court matter immediately. This results in an official conviction on your driving record.
- Enroll in traffic school to mask the point from insurance providers if you meet all eligibility requirements.
- Contest the citation to requests an in-person court trial or submit a Trial by Written Declaration to challenge the charge in writing.
Our legal team assists clients in determining which strategy aligns best with their driving record and financial goals.
Common Defense Strategies for Moving Violations
Citations rely heavily on an officer’s subjective observations or device measurements, several effective defenses can be raised, including:
- Obstructed line of sight that may have impaired the officer’s view.
- Mistake of fact demonstrating that you brought the vehicle to a complete stop, signaled properly, or proceeded on a green light.
- Necessity or emergency actions to avoid an immediate collision or yield to emergency vehicles.
- Procedural or citation errors on the citation that undermines the prosecution’s case.
- Radar or laser speed-measuring devices that were improperly calibrated or operated incorrectly.
- Obscured signage or road markings that prevented adequate notice of road rules.
Your attorney will examine the facts of your case to identify the best defense tactics for your situation.
Consult a Los Angeles Minor Traffic Violation Attorney for Help
A minor traffic ticket can stay minor with effective legal representation. In fact, you can often avoid points on your record, steep fines, and increased insurance premiums.
At Fight My Ticket, our legal team leads the charge on your behalf. Contact our Los Angeles traffic lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your defense options.
