I got a ticket. How can I figure out how much it will cost me?

Every state has its own unique laws governing traffic tickets and the penalties that result. The specific fine may be listed on your ticket, but they are also generally spelled out in your state statutes and on many legal sites on the internet. In addition, they can be found at your local police department, DMV offices, the offices of the Superior Court Clerk, and in many libraries.

However, the cost of a traffic ticket often includes more than just the fines levied by your local police. Costs for a traffic ticket may include:

• Towing for DUIs or repeat offenders

• Court costs and other fees

• Traffic school costs, if required or available

• Lost income when required to miss work for jail sentences, court appearances, meetings with your attorney, or traffic school

• Legal fees

• Increased insurance rates for most tickets

Depending on the violation and the number of prior convictions on your driving record, those costs may be even higher.

For those reasons, it is important to determine if there are any grounds for fighting your ticket. An attorney can assess your case and guide you through the process of investigating the charges, providing evidence for the defense, and presenting that evidence effectively in court. In addition, an attorney may be able to effectively negotiate for reduced charges or taking traffic school in lieu of a conviction on your driving record.