No driver ever wants to get caught speeding but it happens fairly often all across the country. Speeding tickets come at the most inconvenient times and can cost hundreds. If an officer pulls you over for speeding, it is important that you know what to do next. Our attorneys at The Farrish Law Firm L.P.A. can help you figure out your next steps and determine whether fighting your ticket is a viable option.
Give us a call today: 513-403-9699.
What penalties will I face after a speeding ticket?
In Ohio, you can expect fines, points on your driver’s license, and higher insurance premiums.
Fines
Generally, speeding tickets will require you to pay a fine plus court costs. The amount owed will depend on a number of factors including:
- How far over the speed limit you were
- What area you were in at the time
- Whether you were in a construction zone
According to a study by Cleveland.com, speeding tickets generally range from $80 to $225 dollars for driving 15 mph over a 35-mph speed limit, depending on which area of the state you are in.
Added Points to Your License and Possible License Suspension
Ohio uses a Driver’s License Point System to keep track of drivers’ traffic violations. Ohio drivers receive points each time they receive a ticket for certain traffic violations. Drivers will have two to four points added to their license for speeding depending on the speed limit and how many miles per hour over they were going. Generally, the rules state:
- Four points for driving 30 mph or more over the limit, regardless of the limit.
- Two points for driving 11 mph to 29 mph over the limit, regardless of the speed limit.
- Two points for driving six to 10 mph over the speed limit in an area with a speed limit below 55 mph.
If you accumulate 12 or more points within a two-year-period, you may face a six-month license suspension and be required to take a remedial driving course and pay reinstatement fees before you can drive again.
Higher Insurance Premiums
Drivers who have points on their driving record may see an increase in their car insurance rates. Insurance companies may see drivers who have received speeding tickets as “risky” and increase their insurance premiums as a result. This is especially likely for drivers who have received multiple tickets or who have received a ticket for excessive speeding.
Should I fight my Blue Ash speeding ticket?
Now that you know the consequences of your speeding ticket, you will have to decide if it is better to fight the ticket or just pay what you owe. You should consider how much the ticket will cost you and if you can afford the points on your driving record and the increase in insurance rates.
Our attorneys can help determine if your ticket is worth fighting. If it is, we can help you build your case to get your ticket dismissed or reduced. You may also be able to avoid points on your license or get the court to agree to alternative, less-severe penalties.
Our attorneys will handle every aspect of the court process. The burden of proof is on the prosecutor to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that you were speeding. The prosecutor will likely turn to the officer who pulled you over to testify regarding the incident and provide records from his radar gun, camera, or other device.
Defense Strategy
As your defense team, we will investigate the incident and come up with an effective defense strategy that opposes the prosecution’s argument. Our main defense may be questioning the officer’s actions and the accuracy of the officer’s speed-measurement device.
Not all officers follow appropriate protocol when pulling drivers over for speeding. Generally, in order to determine if a driver is speeding, an officer will use a radar gun or pace the vehicle. However, if the radar gun is not calibrated properly or the officer does not properly pace the vehicle, a person may receive a ticket for speeding even if he was following the law. If law enforcement based your ticket on inaccurate speed readings, we will present expert testimony and other evidence to prove it.
Once both sides have presented their cases, the judge will make a decision regarding your case. If you are successful, you may walk out of court without owing any money. In many cases, it is worth fighting your ticket as it may save you hundreds of dollars and protect your driving record.
The attorneys at The Farrish Law Firm L.P.A. understand the stress a speeding ticket can put on your life. We are here to help you in any way we can. With our years of traffic court experience, we can advise you based on your individual circumstances. To find out more about how we can help, contact us at 513-403-9699.
