Traffic Offenses

The majority of traffic tickets issued in California are for infractions. Infractions include tickets for moving and non-moving vehicle violations. You may be issued a citation or infraction for speeding, overdue parking meters, not using fur signals, or parking in a handicapped zone without authorization. However, there are also traffic violations that are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies. You may be charged with a misdemeanor offense for:

• Reckless driving;
• Drunk driving (DUI and DWI);
• Driving without a valid license;
• Drag racing; and
• Driving without insurance.

The precise charge depends on the circumstances of your case. Typically, a traffic violation becomes a misdemeanor or a felony if it causes injury to a person or destruction of property; or/and creates a real threat of injury to a person or destruction of property.

Traffic violations that rise to the level of a felony carry the potential for harsh penalties. If convicted of a traffic felony offense, you have more restrictions on driving rights than a misdemeanor conviction, longer prison sentence, and you may lose you right to vote.

Some example of felony traffic offenses include:

• Repeat DUI/DWI;
• Certain hit and run offenses; and
• Vehicular homicide.

Typically, traffic citations do not require a court appearance and can be paid online, in person, or by mail. However, if you pay the fine, you automatically admit your guilt. If you wish to dispute the charge, you must appear in court on the scheduled date and enter a Not Guilty Plea. At this point, your attorney or you can negotiate with the prosecuting attorney or schedule a trial if no agreement is reached. The majority of infraction charges permit the option of trial by mail. For more information about this option visit your local court and speak with your attorney.

More serious offenses carry higher fines, the possibility of imprisonment, or both. The Department of Motor Vehicles states that “you may be fined up to $3520 or more for a misdemeanor.” In all, traffic charges must be taken as serious as other criminal charges; this is especially so if the violations is a misdemeanor or felony charge.

If you have been charged with an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony traffic offense, you should contact an experienced traffic ticket attorney as soon as possible. Call our office today and speak with a veteran traffic ticket attorney about your case. We will carefully review the facts of your case and the law to give you the best representation possible. The initial consultation is free. Call now and get your questions and concerns resolved.

There’s no substitute for a strong Sacramento criminal lawyer,
call Wing & Parisi at (916) 441-4888.

The Law Office of Wing & Parisi serves clients in the Sacramento and Davis communities as well as throughout
Placer County and San Joaquin County. Hablamos espanol.