How can I contest a ticket for an improper turn violation?

There are a number of illegal actions that may be grounds for an improper turn violation. However, those who have been convicted of this violation often face fines of between $100 and $1,000 for a first violation. In addition, they may face points on their driving record, which generally range from zero points to six.

If this is a first violation, many jurisdictions will allow you to plea bargain for a lesser charge or choose to attend driving school to remove the points and avoid a license suspension. In most states, that occurs after compiling six or more points in a twelve-month period.

The most common violations improper turns include:

• An improper u-turn

• An improper right or left turn, generally due to turning from or into the wrong lane

• An improper turn from an approved turning lane, generally due to turning from outside that designated lane altogether

In most situations, such a ticket is based on the observations of the arresting officer. There are several defenses you can use against this charge:

• Challenge the officer’s observations

• Prove that the officer did not follow proper procedure

• Prove that your actions were necessary to avoid an accident

• Prove that your turn was legally justified due to the actions of another driver

However, this type of defense may require the litigation and negotiation skills of an experienced traffic ticket attorney to be successful.