Las Vegas Traffic Violations Lawyer
Experienced Attorney For Serious Traffic Offenses in Clark County, Nevada
The consequences of a guilty plea or conviction for Las Vegas traffic ticket go far beyond paying the fine, whether you are a Nevada resident or a visitor from out of state. If you face a serious traffic charge, vigorous defense by an experienced Las Vegas traffic ticket attorney can minimize the negative effects of the violation.
At The Gersten Law Firm, serious traffic offenses are part of our criminal defense practice. Attorney Joseph Gersten utilizes his investigative background and extensive defense experience to assist clients in Las Vegas, throughout Clark County, and in surrounding rural counties. If you need assistance, please contact us for a free initial consultation.
Consequences of Las Vegas Traffic Tickets
When you receive a traffic citation, your initial reaction may be just to pay the ticket and put it behind you. Be very careful about taking that approach. If you pay the fine, it constitutes pleading guilty to the violation. Regardless of what the charge is, you face more consequences than just the fine. The more serious the charge is, the more severe the negative effects can be.
If you have a Nevada license, most moving violations result in demerit points on your driving record. The number of points varies with the violation. A single offense can carry up to eight (8) points. When you accumulate a specific number of points within a limited period of time, you may lose driving privileges for a period of time. The more times you exceed the limit, the longer the suspension will be.
If you are an out-of-state resident, your home state determines how a Nevada ticket affects your driving record. Some states recognize demerit points from other states, others do not. If you are a Nevada resident, the state does not add demerit points for out-of-state convictions, but the conviction is part of your Nevada driving record. You should defend against a violation in the jurisdiction where the citation is issued.
In many cases, your insurance rates increase when you get moving violations on your record. Keeping your insurance down is one good reason to defend against a ticket for a serious offense.
Finally, in some situations, traffic convictions can be used against a driver in a civil personal injury lawsuit. If an accident occurred in conjunction with your traffic violation, it’s extremely important to talk with a lawyer before you take any action on the citation.
Speeding & Other Serious Nevada Traffic Offenses
The State of Nevada takes traffic violations and enforcement of traffic laws very seriously. The state has some of the highest fines for speeding in the country. If you get a ticket in Las Vegas or Clark County, especially for a moving violation like speeding, your best bet is to retain an experienced traffic violation attorney to represent you. The worst thing you can do is ignore the ticket.
Attorney Joseph Gersten represents clients facing many types of serious traffic violations, including (but not limited to):
- DUI / DUID
- Commercial DUI
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Careless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Vehicular homicide / manslaughter
- Hit & run (leaving the scene of an accident)
- Following too closely / tailgating
- Failing to yield offenses
- Texting and driving
- Safety zone violations
- Traffic signal / stop sign violations
For any serious charge, representation by an experienced lawyer is beneficial. Attempting to represent yourself is not recommended. A skillful attorney knows the local process and how to negotiate with prosecutors, as well as what alternatives to pleading guilty and paying the fine are available.
Your lawyer will guide you through the process, discuss possible strategies and options and help you make an informed decision about the best way to proceed. Your attorney’s goal is to minimize the impact on your record and your life, including your insurance rates.
Additional Traffic Offense Information
Depending on your situation, these previous blog posts may provide additional details that will assist in your decision-making process:
- Did You Get a Traffic or Speeding Ticket in Las Vegas? Here’s What You Should Do.
- Understanding Las Vegas Drugged Driving Offenses
- Las Vegas DUI Breath and Blood Tests — What Happens If You Refuse?
- 3 Guidelines to Follow If You’re Arrested in Las Vegas
- Benefits of Sealing a Criminal Record in Nevada
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Nevada Traffic Violations Lawyer
If you face a serious traffic violation in Las Vegas, Henderson, elsewhere in Clark County, or in a nearby rural county, experienced traffic ticket attorney Joseph Gersten is here to help. Your initial consultation and case evaluation at The Gersten Law Firm are always free. Call 702.857.8777 or complete our online form to schedule an appointment.