Traffic Violation Attorneys in Bakersfield, California

According to statistics from the California Department of Justice, traffic offenses made up about 17.4% of all misdemeanor arrests statewide in 2019. Traffic violations include driving without a valid driver's license, reckless driving, hit-and-run accidents, evading a police officer, speeding, running a red light, and driving under the influence. Committing any of these traffic violations may result in ticket fines, demerit points, fines, and other penalties.

Getting a traffic ticket could mean potential consequences to your driving record. At Underwood Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to guide and represent clients in their traffic violation cases. Our skilled California traffic violations attorneys can review and investigate every last detail of your case and outline an effective strategy to help fight your California traffic ticket. Whether you're facing charges for a moving or non-moving traffic violation, infraction, or misdemeanor traffic ticket, our team will fight vigorously to protect your rights and help keep your driving record as clean as possible. We proudly represent clients throughout Bakersfield, California, and the surrounding areas of Lamont and Kern County.

What are Traffic Violations?

In the state of California, an officer may pull you over and issue a traffic ticket for violating a traffic law. A traffic violation can be described as an infraction or offense committed by breaking traffic rules. Some of the most common offenses that constitute a traffic violation in California include:

• Speeding

• Parking in loading or unloading zones

• Reckless driving

• Driving with a suspended license

• Not wearing a seatbelt

• Driving while using a cellphone

• Driving without a license

• Fleeing from an officer

• Hit-and-run accidents causing injury or death

Types of Traffic Violations

Traffic violations or offenses in California are classified into:

Parking Tickets

In California, a driver may get a parking ticket for parking a motor vehicle in a restricted area or in an unauthorized manner. The parking ticket will show the amount that must be paid to the parking agency where the violation occurred.

Infraction Traffic Violation

Infraction driving violations are minor traffic offenses, such as speeding, running a red light, disobeying traffic signs, failure to stop at a stop sign, unsafe lane changes, and at-fault accidents. Traffic infractions don't usually require a trial and are typically punished with fines and demerit points on your driving record.

Misdemeanor Traffic Violation

Misdemeanor traffic violations are serious driving offenses, such as excessive speeding, driving without a license, driving while under the influence, reckless driving, hit-and-run, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Misdemeanor traffic offenses are punished severely and may attract fines of up to six months in county jail, fines of up to $1,000, or both.

Understanding the Point System

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) point system assigns a value to each traffic offense or violation. In addition to fines and other penalties, a traffic violation will carry penalties of 1 or 2 license points per offense. Here are some basic point values:

One Point Traffic Violations:

• Speeding

• Running a red light

• Running a stop sign

• Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians

• Illegal U-turns

• Unsafe lane change

• Violating child safety restraint requirements

• Failure to stop for a school bus

• Causing an accident

Two Point Traffic Violations:

• Reckless driving

• Driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour

• DUI

• Driving with a suspended license

• Evading law enforcement

• Hit and run accidents resulting in damage or injury

Traffic Violation Fines & Penalties

Your driver's license can be suspended or revoked by the California DMV for accumulating the following point values on your driving record:

• 4 or more points within 12 months

• 6 or more points within 24 months

• 8 or more points within 36 months

Having more points on your driving record will result in additional fines and penalties, as well as higher auto insurance rates. For this reason, you need to hire an experienced attorney to help fight the traffic violation and preserve your driving privileges.

Fighting a Traffic Violation

Your lawyer can help fight your traffic violation by:

• Disputing the evidence against you

• Disputing the officer's version of what occurred

• Challenging the judgment call of the police officer

• Establishing that your actions were justified

• Showing that it was a mistake of fact

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

Fighting your traffic tickets, fines, or other traffic violations without experienced guidance could easily expose you to the risks of suffering the maximum penalties. If convicted, you may lose your driving privileges, get increased insurance rates, possible jail time, massive fines, and other life-long ramifications. Therefore, when facing traffic violations, retaining an aggressive traffic violations attorney is crucial to protect your legal rights and build the best defense for your case.