Here's a plan to deal with the LaGrange traffic ticket you just got
You got pulled over, probably on the Taconic, and when the police officer drives away you’ve got a ticket in hand. You might have a lot of different thoughts and emotions running through you in that moment. If you’re like many people, you’re tempted to shove the ticket in the glove compartment or a pocket or purse and think about it another day.
Not dealing with that ticket right away can lead to other problems, though. Here’s some steps you can take to take care of yourself and your new ticket, too.
Before you leave the scene of the traffic ticket
Set yourself a reminder to call Selby Legal. You can literally call 845-419-3383 on the phone and leave a message any time of day, or you can upload your traffic ticket and wait for a call back.
Tuck the ticket into the driver’s sun visor. You might be stressed, and you might be distracted. Putting the ticket up there increases the chances that you’ll be able to find it again later. (If you drive with your window open, this could be risky, but otherwise it you use the visor the ticket will drop down as a reminder without flying out the window.)
Breathe. Take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Step out of the vehicle to stretch, if it’s safe where you are. Driving while stressed can lead to you getting another ticket on the same trip, and nobody wants that.
Once your head is clear
Document the incident. Jot down what you were doing when you were pulled over, what the officer asked you, and any other details that you can recall. It’s best to do this as soon as possible, which might be in the car at the scene, or once you get to your destination, or after a meal or a night’s sleep. The sooner you can write down what you can remember, the clearer your memories will be.
Don’t mail in the ticket without getting free legal advice first. There’s a deadline listed by the court information on the ticket. That’s not an appearance date! You do have to send in your plea by that date, to avoid risking a license suspension, but despite was it says on the righthand side of the ticket, you don’t need to send in your plea within 48 hours. The attorney will explain why you should plead “not guilty” and then await your court date, which will be months later in most cases.
Reasons to call Selby Legal right away
You want to go over the details when they are fresh in your mind. This will allow your attorney to build the best possible case for a dismissal or reduction.
There is a deadline for requesting a supporting deposition. If that document is requested on time and never provided, that’s good for your case. If you don’t act soon enough, you could miss out on that as a defense.
Some prosecutors are willing to offer a reduction ahead of time, but not if you wait until the last minute.
Tickets can get lost. Clients sometimes call without knowing what court they need to appear in, or when. Tracking down that information can cost a lot of time and money.
In short, the sooner you deal with your traffic ticket, the more options you are going to have. If you have a traffic ticket in LaGrange town court or in one of the other hundreds of upstate New York traffic courts, call Selby Legal for a free consultation today.