If you’ve been caught speeding on I-395 or another highway in Inyo County, it's advisable to consult a speeding ticket lawyer before paying the fine.
When facing a speeding ticket in Inyo County, you should consult a speeding ticket lawyer before paying the fine. Even a small ticket can cause big problems.
A knowledgeable and experienced traffic attorney can discuss your options and let you know if it is wise to dispute your ticket or accept Traffic Violator School (TVS).
Hint: not all speeding tickets are eligible to be held confidential by TVS attendance.
Don’t Trust DIY or “Guaranteed Dismissal” Claims
Some drivers attempt to represent themselves in Bishop or Independence Courthouse. But most walk in unprepared and walk out with a conviction with a long drive back to southern California.
Stage fright, lack of legal knowledge, and accidental self-incrimination are common. An experienced attorney avoids those pitfalls.
Why Hiring a Speeding Ticket Lawyer Could Save You Money
The fine for a speeding ticket may look manageable at first. But it’s not just the fine.
Insurance companies often increase premiums after a conviction. A first speeding ticket could raise costs by 30% for three years. That means hundreds or even thousands of dollars more out of pocket.
Hiring a speeding ticket lawyer could prevent these hidden costs. Even if attorney fees seem close to the fine, the long-term savings can be significant.
Traffic Violator School (TVS) in California Explained
Traffic Violator School (TVS) helps eligible drivers keep tickets off their public record. The program is run by DMV-licensed schools, owners, and instructors.
Drivers complete an eight-hour safety course (online courses are available) to mask the conviction from public view, including insurance providers. This helps prevent insurance hikes and other consequences from a traffic ticket.
A traffic court judge must approve attendance for speeds more than 25 mph over. TVS is a court-referred option, not a voluntary class.
If you wish to mask a ticket, you should consult a traffic attorney, as pleading guilty and paying the fine, tuition, and county administrative fee could box you into a corner.
To qualify, drivers must:
- Hold a valid California driver’s license
- Have a minor infraction or one-point violation
- Not used TVS within 18 months to mask a conviction
- Appear on their arraignment date and plead guilty
You are not eligible if:
- You were driving a commercial vehicle when ticketed
- Your ticket was for speeding 100+ mph, a misdemeanor, or a felony
- Your ticket was alcohol or drug-related.
There are several instances where attendance is not financially beneficial to the driver, so ask a traffic attorney.
Sierra Navada’s Competing Distractions
Many of the municipalities along I-395 lower the speed limit to 25 or 30 mph within city limits. Getting a speeding ticket here is far too easy, considering how easy it is to get distracted by the breathtaking scenery.
In this region known as Eastern California, many tourists are heading to Bodie, the abandoned gold mining town, Mount Whitney and Death Valley, the highest and lowest elevation in the continental USA, Mammoth ski area, the Manzanar National Historic Site close to Independence, one of ten Japanese-American concentration camps during WWII, and others.
It’s no wonder some drivers get distracted and are caught speeding.
Also, on US-395 in California is Sherwin Grade. This pass traverses the Sierra Nevada and is particularly challenging for vehicles, especially those towing or traveling in winter.
Sherwin Grade, north of Bishop, climbs nearly 3,000 feet. It is approximately 5 to 6 miles long with a consistent grade of at least 6%.
Historically, this was the first part of US-395 to be paved in the region due to its challenging nature for early vehicles.
What a Speeding Ticket Lawyer Can Do for You
We can review radar calibration, the officer’s pacing methods, and testimony. Those technical details can turn a case in your favor.
Judges may allow veteran officers to estimate or “guess” your speed, especially in adverse weather, but they will reject those from rookies. We know how to raise reasonable doubt, the legal standard across the USA.
Consult Bigger & Harman, the Speeding Ticket Lawyers
When caught speeding in Inyo County, talk to Bigger & Harman first.
Call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349-9300— Se habla Español 349-9755.
We regularly defend drivers with speeding tickets in Bishop or Independence Courthouse in Inyo County, CA.
Use our available contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com and schedule an initial consultation to learn the facts.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: Can a speeding ticket lawyer help me in Bishop or Independence Courthouse?
A: Yes, a lawyer can appear on your behalf and challenge the evidence presented, subpoena speed measurement device calibration records, request a dismissal, negotiate a reduced charge that would make the driver eligible for TVS attendance, or a no-point conviction with a fine only.
Q: Will hiring a lawyer save me money long term?
A: If acquitted, many California drivers save around $2,500 over the three years the record of conviction would stay on their driving record. The average Bishop driver, for instance, saves about $720 annually in higher insurance fees for full coverage, and the fine of up to $490 for speeding under 100 mph. That total could reach $2,650 in three years.
Q: How do I find a speeding ticket lawyer in Inyo County?
A: Ask Yelp for assistance finding a speeding ticket lawyer with a star rating of 4.5+ and from more than 100 reviews. Then call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349-9300.
References:
CA VC Sections 22348, 22349, 22350, 22356, & [22348 - 22366] Speed Laws.
The CA DMV’s Driver Handbook English y Español.
The Portal of the CA DMV Traffic Violator School.
Bankrate's informative article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2025.