3 Things That Can Happen As A Result Of A Criminal Traffic Offense
Posted on: 13 May 2015
When most people think of traffic offenses, they think of simply getting a speeding ticket. However, there are more serious traffic offenses that a driver can commit, such as racing another vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you have been charged with a criminal traffic offense, you may not know what to expect when you go to court. Here are three things that can happen as a result of a criminal traffic offense.
1. Jail Time
Depending on what your particular criminal driving offense was, you could end up spending some time in jail. The worse the offense is, the more jail time you are likely to serve. For instance, if your traffic crime is considered a misdemeanor, you won't face as much jail time as you would if it was considered a felony in your state.
Other factors can also determine whether you will be given a jail sentence, such as if it is a repeated offense. While some judges may give a light sentence to first-time offenders, especially if they have an exemplary reputation, they don't look kindly on repeat offenders.
2. Fines
One thing that is almost a given when it comes to criminal traffic offenses is that you will most likely have to pay fines. Not only will you have to pay fines associated with court costs, but you will also have to pay fines for the specific laws that were broken.
The amount you have to pay will depend on your location, as well as how many laws you broke when you were caught. For instance, in Arizona, you can expect to pay no less than $1,250 in fines for your first DUI offense. That's not including court costs and criminal traffic attorney fees. The good news is that you likely won't have to pay it all at once as most court houses will allow you to set up a payment plan to pay fines.
3. Driver's License Suspension or Revocation.
Not all criminal traffic offenses result in the complete revocation of your driver's license. However, you should at least be prepared to have it suspended for an amount of time. Some traffic offenses may carry a mandatory license suspension in your state, while others may not. If there isn't a mandatory license suspension period for your particular traffic crime, then it will be up to the judge whether or not your license gets suspended.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you will not be allowed to drive, or to get a license in another state, until the suspension or revocation is lifted. If you are caught driving during that time, you will face even harsher penalties than before.
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