Speeding ticket? Can you handle it yourself?

People often ask, “Do I need an attorney to handle this ticket, or should I do it myself?”

The choice is yours, and I can’t make it for you.

But I can offer you this to help you think through the problem of how you should handle it:

How much money/time/profitability will you lose from missing work for at least a half-day if you go to court on your own? 

Will you have your driving record with you?  Do you know how to get it? 

What are you going to ask for?  Why?  Do you know how that outcome will affect you?  Do you know how previous convictions might affect THAT outcome?

Are you intimidated by the court process?  Do you know with whom to speak?  Who is more important in this process – the ADA or the Judge?  Do you know the roles each play? 

Are you one of those people who think a PJC can be had anywhere, anytime, and will fix all of your problems anytime you voice those three letters together? 

If any of those questions confound you, then that might lead you to hiring an attorney.  The bottom line is hiring an attorney for a speeding ticket is generally the way to save yourself time and money in the long run.  But only you can make that decision.