| This article will help motorists with a New | | | | without real offices, the next step is to |
| York traffic ticket select the right NY | | | | find an attorney who is experienced in |
| traffic lawyer to defend them. Traffic | | | | vehicle and traffic law matters. Start by |
| tickets, such as speeding, red light and | | | | asking the attorney or the firm's paralegal |
| failure to signal, can result in points on | | | | about the firm's traffic law experience and, |
| your New York driver license, automobile | | | | in particular, their previous experience at |
| insurance increases and fines, surcharges and | | | | the court where you case is scheduled. Have |
| fees. Therefore, picking the right New York | | | | they appeared in this court before? What was |
| traffic ticket attorney is critical. | | | | the result? Is this the primary type of law |
| | | | which they handle? Of course, you may not |
| More and more motorists are retaining a New | | | | get honest or direct answers but that is a |
| York traffic ticket lawyer when they are | | | | good start. |
| issued a NY traffic ticket. In addition to | | | | |
| receiving professional advice from a | | | | You then can ask about any articles the |
| knowledgeable traffic ticket attorney, | | | | lawyer has written on that subject and ask to |
| drivers are anxious to transfer this | | | | see one of them. Chances are an attorney who |
| stressful and time-consuming responsibility | | | | has taken the time to write one or more |
| to someone else. | | | | vehicle and traffic law articles is someone |
| | | | who you can rely on to be experienced and |
| The first thing that you should do is make | | | | knowledgeable. |
| sure you are calling or emailing an actual | | | | |
| New York traffic ticket attorney or New York | | | | Yet another important item to check is the |
| traffic law firm. While this sounds obvious, | | | | attorney's background. Did he or she |
| the internet is replete with non-lawyers | | | | graduate from a quality law school, were they |
| trying to make a quick buck. The most | | | | on Law Review, have they won any awards, did |
| obvious tell-tale sign is when the site or | | | | they previously work at a court and/or large |
| the site's ad states something like "If We | | | | law firm. Were they formerly a traffic |
| Don't Win, You Don't Pay 100%" or "Guaranteed | | | | judge or traffic prosecutor? The more |
| or your money back". It is entirely | | | | impressive the attorney's background the |
| unethical for an attorney to guarantee | | | | better. |
| results and, therefore, you should stay clear | | | | |
| from such quick buck artists. No honest, | | | | Be wary of an attorney who does not set forth |
| self-respecting attorney would ever make such | | | | his or her education and prior experience. |
| a representation. In fact, common sense | | | | It is safe to assume that in such cases the |
| dictates that no one can guarantee what some | | | | attorney's background is less than |
| third party (a judge or prosecutor) will do. | | | | impressive. |
| If you are lucky, the fine print will explain | | | | |
| what is actually being "guaranteed". Either | | | | Another important consideration is the |
| way, however, is caveat emptor - buyer beware | | | | comfort level you get when speaking with the |
| - for those fooled by such promises. | | | | law firm. Were they responsive to questions? |
| | | | Were you given understandable and sensible |
| Similarly, I recommend avoiding any web site | | | | answers? Were they knowledgeable? Were they |
| that lists itself as a directory of traffic | | | | honest with you about the prospects for |
| lawyers or offers to find you the "right" | | | | success? Were they patient? If you do not |
| lawyer. Those sites are simply middlemen | | | | feel comfortable, then its time to make |
| often looking to add something to your fee | | | | another telephone call. |
| for generating a lead to a real traffic | | | | |
| lawyer. From the outset until the end of the | | | | A good and honest traffic ticket lawyer will |
| case, you want to be dealing directly with a | | | | inquire whether it even makes sense for you |
| law firm (not some middleman) especially if a | | | | to fight this ticket and/or hire a traffic |
| question or problem arises. | | | | lawyer. For example, if the ticket carries |
| | | | no points or you have an out-of-state license |
| If you have any doubt, check the physical | | | | and points do not transfer, it usually does |
| location of the "firm". If they do not have | | | | not make sense to hire a New York traffic |
| a New York State address (or do not even list | | | | ticket attorney. |
| an address), there is a good chance that you | | | | |
| are not dealing with an actual lawyer or law | | | | The final consideration is price. I have |
| firm. A New York traffic lawyer is required | | | | ended with this important item because many |
| to list his office address on all advertising | | | | prospective clients put way too much emphasis |
| which includes his or her web site. | | | | on this consideration and ignore all the |
| | | | others mentioned in this article. |
| On this point, make sure the lawyer's office | | | | Nevertheless, you should look for an attorney |
| is "real". This means there is a staff | | | | that will take your case for a flat fee. |
| member of the lawyer available during regular | | | | This way there is no surprises for you when |
| business to answer questions and arrange for | | | | the case is over. Many New York traffic |
| an attorney to get back to you, if needed. | | | | ticket lawyer will offer a flat fee so you do |
| Do not mistake an answering service operator | | | | not have to settle for someone who charges |
| for an actual law firm employee. If the | | | | by the hour or cannot give you a fee upfront. |
| "representative" cannot answer basic | | | | |
| questions and tells you that someone will get | | | | Also, just because one attorney is a $100 (or |
| back to you, then you are likely dealing with | | | | so) cheaper does not mean you should select |
| an outside answering service. An attorney | | | | that one. Your driver license is an |
| who does not maintain a "real" office cannot | | | | important privilege and you do not want to |
| be as responsive to your needs and, | | | | hand this responsibility to just anyway, |
| therefore, is not recommended. | | | | especially when you likely will not be in |
| | | | court when the case is resolved. |
| Yet another consideration is how promptly | | | | |
| does the lawyer or his firm got back to you | | | | I would say you generally do not want the |
| once you have made your initial inquiry. The | | | | cheapest lawyer to handle your case nor the |
| faster the response, the more likely you are | | | | most expensive. Look for someone whose fee |
| speaking to an attorney or firm who is | | | | is reasonable. Otherwise, the old adage "You |
| organized, and will be diligent and thorough | | | | get what you pay for" may rear its ugly head. |
| in handling your case. | | | | |
| | | | Choosing the right New York traffic ticket |
| Once you have eliminated the middlemen, | | | | lawyer is an important decision. I hope this |
| directory sites, non-lawyers and the lawyers | | | | article is helpful in making it. |