Columbus Defense Attorney Fights Basic Moving Violations
Knowledgeable lawyer counsels motorists on their rights and options
If you’ve been cited for a moving violation in the Columbus area, you may feel your back is against the wall. If you dispute the ticket, the case may come down to your word against the officer’s. But if you go ahead and pay the fine, you’re admitting to the offense and accepting the penalty points. And even if your driving record is pristine, a first moving violation could drive up the cost of your insurance. On the other hand, if you consult Luckett Law Office, we may find grounds to contest your ticket or qualify you for a diversion program. We’ve helped many motorists save money and protect their driving records, and we’re ready to help you.
Experience disputing basic moving violations in Ohio
A basic moving violation is a minor misdemeanor worth two penalty points. These violations include:
- Driving in violation of a restriction
- Some speeding infractions
- Failing to observe a traffic control light
- Failing to observe a stop sign
- Railroad crossing violation
- Driving too slowly
- Following too closely
- Failing to yield to a pedestrian
- Crossing a yellow line
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Making a prohibited U-turn
- Failing to signal a turn or lane change
This is not a complete list, so if your two-point infraction is not found here, it might still be considered a basic moving violation.
Defenses to basic moving violations
In many cases a traffic offense is a matter of perception, if not a matter of opinion. When your case could go either way, it’s time to hire an experienced traffic violations attorney who can present a defense to the following violations:
- Failing to observe a stop sign — Many motorists perform a “rolling stop,” rather than coming to a complete one-second stop. But there is certainly a broad gray area between the two.
- Running a red light — In some instances, the interval for a yellow light may be illegally short. You may have run the red, but only because you didn’t have a sufficiently long yellow. We can often challenge a red light violation based on the city’s failure to maintain the signals properly.
- Unreasonable for conditions — If, in the officer’s opinion, weather conditions made your speed unsafe, you may have grounds to challenge.
Defenses to moving violations always depend on the facts and circumstances. Take advantage of a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.
Columbus traffic diversion programs can keep your record clean
The City of Columbus offers a Traffic Diversion Program for drivers charged with most minor misdemeanor traffic violations. If you successfully complete the program, the charge is dismissed as soon as you pay court costs and an administrative fee. The court does not report offense information to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and no points are assessed on your license.
If you have a satisfactory traffic record, you may qualify even if you committed the violation. Excluded from the program are violations involving:
- A school or construction zone
- Failure to yield to an emergency or school vehicle
- Traffic accidents
- Driving under a repeat offender suspension
- Driving under a DWI/OVI or ALS (administrative license suspension)
- Driving under a drug suspension
You don’t need a perfect record to be eligible for the traffic diversion program. You must be able to show you have had no more than two moving violations in the last two years and no prior convictions for serious traffic offenses, and you are not a repeat offender for the violation you want to clear. Prior criminal convictions can disqualify you even if your driving record is clean.
If you qualify for the program, you only need to present proof of insurance and complete an accredited defensive driving course.
Contact an experienced Columbus attorney to dispute basic moving violations
Luckett Law Office defends drivers from basic traffic offenses throughout Central Ohio. Our office is conveniently located at 24 North High Street, just one block away from the Ohio Statehouse in the heart of downtown Columbus. To schedule a free consultation, call 614-721-2949 or contact our office online.