There are many times when hiring a speeding ticket lawyer makes, but there are often times you may not need a lawyer.
When you consider the fine only depending on your speed, the following are the fine amounts:
In California, speeding ticket fines and penalties follow a tiered system:
1-15 mph over the limit: Expect a fine of about $238 and one NOTS point, which stays on your record for 36 to 39 months.
16-24 mph over the limit: The penalty increases to around $360, with one NOTS point added to your record.
25 mph over the limit, up to 100 mph: The fine jumps to roughly $490, along with one NOTS point. Enrolling in Traffic Violator School (TVS) requires a judge’s approval.
Exceeding 100 mph: This is a serious violation requiring a mandatory court appearance. Fines range from $859 to $2,137, and a conviction results in two NOTS points that could stay on your record for up to seven years. TVS is not an option, and your insurance premiums may significantly increase—sometimes doubling or tripling.
I get it. You don’t want to spend the money hiring a traffic ticket attorney. It’s an expensive initial outlay. However, it could save you nearly $2,700 in fines and increased auto insurance premiums over the next three years for a minor speeding infraction.
“Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,973 per yearin California. The average cost for state minimum coverage is $760 per year.”—Bankrate.com.
Now, consider that you pay the fine for a minor speeding violation of 12 mph over the speed limit. Upon renewal, your auto insurance provider could take your “good driver’s discount of 20%,” and add the associate risk of 10 to 12%, which would add nearly $900 annually to your premium.
Yes, that’s the average, and you could pay much less in Inyo County, about $2,383 annually in Bishop, so your new premium might average $3,075.
Unless you have a teen on your policy, then that amount could triple for three years due to a minor infraction.
We want to make this clear. It is always wise to consult an attorney about your specific situation before hiring a speeding ticket lawyer or disputing a speeding ticket without representation.
You may have been told it’s a waste of money to hire a lawyer. There’s always that guy or gal who got a speeding ticket dismissed and is proud to tell their friends they can do it, too.
Hiring a Speeding Ticket Lawyer Could Be Beneficial
But the odds are against you when you go into court without representation.
Consider this:
Do you know how to subpoena speed measurement device calibration records?
How about the training record for the law enforcement officer (LEO) on that device?
Do you know how to find out how long they’ve been a traffic patrol officer and if they have a reputation for testifying well?
Speed measurement devices must be calibrated periodically by law for accuracy. If a speed measurement device is out of calibration, it could lead to a dismissal.
If the ticketing LEO does not appear for trial, your ticket should be dismissed. An experienced attorney will know when and how to request a dismissal.
And you are entitled to a copy of his statement before trial. How long they’ve been a traffic patrol officer could be crucial if they estimated (guessed) your speed or used pacing to determine your speed.
A traffic court judge will often take the word of an experienced LEO when they estimate your speed, but they realize that a novice LEO may not properly prove the foundation for their training and experience in estimating speeds.
“In pacing, the officer tries to match your speed and then looks to their own speedometer to estimate how fast you're going. For this technique to be accurate, the officer needs to maintain a constant distance between the police vehicle and your car for an appreciable distance.”—NOLO.com
Pacing is less accurate than LIDAR or RADAR due to an LEO’S reliance on maintaining a consistent speed over a long distance. This can be particularly difficult for inexperienced officers to master.
These are all situations where having an experienced and knowledgeable speeding ticket lawyer represent you can help to get a dismissal or reduced no-point penalty. However, there are no guarantees.
Be smart. Consult an Inyo County speeding ticket lawyer about disputing your ticket in Bishop or Independence Courthouse.
Consult with Bigger & Harman Before Hiring a Speeding Ticket Lawyer in Inyo County
If you have a speeding ticket that needs to be resolved in Independence or Bishop Courthouse in Inyo County, CA, call Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300 or 349-9755—Se habla Español.
Use our convenient online contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
CA VC Section 22348, 22349, 22350, 22356, & [22348 - 22366] Speed Laws.
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2025.
The CA DMV Traffic Violator School Webpage.
The Nolo.com Legal Encyclopedia.