Should I hire a speeding ticket lawyer to resolve a ticket in Stockton Courthouse in San Joaquin County, CA? The answer to the question is more complicated than the $238 fine.
Although the fine is a one-time payment of $238, the effects of pleading guilty and paying the fine could affect your family budget for three years.
After paying the fine, the Stanislaus County DMV will assess one negligent operator treatment system (NOTS) point on your motor vehicle driving record (MVR). This point will stay on your record for up to three years.
The True Cost of a Speeding Ticket in Stockton, CA
You got a speeding ticket. You check online and see the fine is $35. No big deal, right? Think again.
That number is just the base fine. California adds ten surcharges, penalties, and assessments that quickly increase the total cost. And that’s not even counting the raise in your insurance premiums.
Here’s the real breakdown:
1-15 mph over the limit – Base fine: $35, total cost: $238
16-24 mph over the limit – Base fine: $70, total cost: $360
25-99 mph over the limit – Base fine: $100, total cost: $490
100+ mph – Base fine: maximum of $500, the total fine ranges from $859 to $2,137
And the damage doesn’t stop there. A conviction means DMV points on your record. One point for speeding under 100 mph stays for three years.
Two points for speeding over 100 mph remain for up to seven years.
More NOTS points mean higher insurance costs and a possible driver’s license suspension if you accumulate too many.
Should I Hire a Speeding Ticket Lawyer or Just Pay the Fine?
Many drivers with tickets wonder, "Should I hire a speeding ticket lawyer if the fine is only $238 to $490?" It seems easier to pay and move on.
But here’s why that could be a huge mistake:
Insurance increases:
California’s average full-coverage policy costs $2,973 per year.
Losing your good driver discount adds $594.60 per year.
A ticket for 25+ mph over the limit can raise premiums by 40%.
A 100+ mph conviction can double or triple rates for seven years.
Some insurers might drop you entirely.
Traffic Violator School (TVS) isn’t always the answer:
TVS keeps your ticket confidential but only works once every 18 months.
You must plead guilty and pay the full fine and fees.
It doesn’t work for commercial drivers or major violations.
If you don’t complete it on time, the ticket becomes public, and your insurance will increase.
It is not financially beneficial to use TVS when you have multiple, and those NOTS points will still count against you for a suspension.
Fighting the ticket is possible:
A traffic ticket defense attorney can challenge the speed measurement device’s speed reading or the patrolperson’s training on the device.
Errors in radar, pacing, or LIDAR could mean a dismissal.
Negotiation could reduce the charge to a non-point violation, protecting your insurance.
Speeding Tickets and Insurance Premiums: The Real Cost
Ignoring your ticket could mean an additional ticket for Failure to Appear (FTA), which is a misdemeanor crime in CA. That could mean jail time or probation.
A 100 mph ticket could add up to $7,935 per year in insurance costs. And if you have a teen driver on your policy, your total premium could reach $6,459 or more annually.
Consult a Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney in Stanislaus County
Still wondering, "Should I hire a speeding ticket lawyer?"
If you care about your record, reputation, insurance, and long-term costs, the answer is yes.
A traffic ticket defense attorney for Stockton in San Joaquin County can help you fight the charges, negotiate fines, and possibly keep your record clean.
Don't just pay the fine without consulting a speeding ticket attorney—protect your future.
Ask Bigger & Harman About Your Options
If you’re thinking should I hire a speeding ticket lawyer to resolve my ticket in Stockton Courthouse in San Joaquin County, CA, call Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300— Se habla Español 349-9755 to set up an appointment.
Use our handy online contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2025.
CA VC Section 22350, Speed Laws [22348 - 22441].