I was charged with a moving violation. Do I need a lawyer to contest it?

A moving violation is any traffic violation that occurs when the vehicle is in motion. The severity of a moving violation varies, depending on the type of charge. The most common moving violation is speeding, and the penalties vary depending on how much over the speed limit the driver was traveling.

Moving violations are often infractions or misdemeanors, but occasionally they may become felonies under more serious circumstances. Moving violations can include:

• Speeding

• Running a red light or stop sign

• Failing to signal for turns or lane changes

• Failure to yield the right-of-way

• Crossing the center line

• Failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk

• Failure to stop for a school bus stop sign or signal

• DUI

• Reckless driving

• Vehicular homicide

The penalties for moving violations can include fines that range from $50 to $1,000, in some cases jail time, points on your driving record, and suspended driver’s licenses for serious or repeat offenses.

You may be able to contest a moving violation yourself. In some cases, it may mean just presenting a valid reason for the infraction or appearing in court to plea bargain for a lesser charge. However, when the charges and penalties are more severe, it can be important to have expert representation to determine whether you have a valid defense and how best to present it to the court.