A Look at Costs to Hire a Lawyer for Traffic Violations

Traffic violations can have significant consequences in Missouri and Kansas. A speeding ticket can result in a fine and points on your license. More serious offenses, such as reckless driving or DUI, can result in more serious penalties, possibly including jail time. 

An experienced traffic ticket attorney can help you understand your rights and advocate for you in court. When do you need a traffic court lawyer? Is it worth it to hire a lawyer for a minor ticket? 

Cost is important when hiring a lawyer for traffic violations in Missouri or Kansas. This post looks at the factors that may affect how much a speeding ticket lawyer charges for their services. Every situation is different, and it is hard to determine a hard cost.

Costs to Hire a Lawyer in Missouri and Kansas

Obtaining definitive figures for how much lawyers charge for traffic cases in Missouri and Kansas is difficult. Each attorney sets their own rates based on various factors, and rates may vary widely from one attorney or jurisdiction to another.

Factors Influencing Costs

The following factors may affect the total cost of hiring a lawyer for traffic violations:

• The level of the alleged offense: Lawyers tend to charge more for serious traffic violations. These types of cases are typically more complicated, require more time, and have higher stakes for the client. 

For example, defending against a DUI/DWI charge requires more preparation than a case involving running a stop sign.

• The complexity of the case: Cases involving more serious traffic offenses tend to be more complex than minor offenses. Any kind of case can have factors that make it more complicated than similar cases, which might lead a lawyer to charge more.
• Whether you go to trial: Trials can take a lot of time, which often leads to a higher fee.
• The attorney’s experience and reputation: Lawyers with many years of experience and track records of success will tend to charge higher fees than lawyers with less experience.

General Cost Ranges

Broadly speaking, one might expect to find the following range of legal fees for traffic violations in the greater Kansas City area:

• Minor violations: Up to $500
• Serious violations: $1,000 to $5,000

Disclaimer: These are not indicative of actual costs. These are common ranges, which are subject to change with every situation. Every attorney sets their rates, and costs vary from one city to another. 

Types of Traffic Violations in Missouri and Kansas

Missouri and Kansas distinguish between different types of traffic violations based on factors like:

• Whether a driver might pose a danger to the public.
• Whether they acted intentionally, recklessly, or negligently when they allegedly committed the offense.

Minor Violations

Both states treat many relatively minor traffic offenses as civil infractions. This means they are not “criminal” in nature. Penalties include fines and points on one’s driver’s license. Minor traffic violations include:

• Speeding
• Failure to stop at a stop sign
• Failure to yield
• Parking violations

Serious Violations

In Missouri and Kansas, more serious traffic violations are criminal offenses. The penalties for a conviction can be much more severe, such as driver’s license suspension, fines, and possible jail time. Serious traffic offenses include:

• Reckless driving
• DUI/DWI
• Driving with a suspended license

Depending on the type of offense and the number of prior convictions, serious traffic violations may be misdemeanors or felonies. A first-time DUI/DWI, for example, is a misdemeanor, but prosecutors may charge someone with a felony if they have multiple past convictions for the same offense.

The Role of a Lawyer in Traffic Violation Cases

Whether you face charges alleging serious traffic violations or minor ones, an attorney can advocate for your rights and give you a fighting chance against the worst potential penalties.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

An experienced attorney knows the local court system. They are familiar with local rules, procedures, and deadlines. They have dealt with the prosecutors and court personnel before. As a result, they may be able to minimize or eliminate the impact of a traffic offense on your driving record by:

• Getting moving violations amended to non-moving violations.
• Working out global resolutions on multiple tickets that could result in some charges being dismissed and the overall fine total being reduced.
• Negotiating alternative plea agreements that provide you with an opportunity to keep serious violations off of your driving record.

An experienced lawyer can advise you about the additional steps and requirements that are necessary to convince the prosecutor to reduce a more serious traffic offense to a minor non-moving violation. To receive an amendment to a non-moving violation, you might pay a larger fine than the amount stated on your ticket, but in exchange, you avoid a moving-violation conviction that would have been reported to your driving record, which can lead to consequences such as license suspensions and increased insurance premiums.

When to Consider Hiring a Lawyer

A lawyer can be helpful in almost any traffic case. If you have concerns about the expense of hiring a lawyer for traffic violations, you might consider the following factors:

• The severity of the violation: Are you charged with a minor or serious traffic violation? If it is a serious offense, is it a misdemeanor or a felony? The more serious the offense, the more you are likely to need a lawyer.
• The potential consequences of a conviction: Do you know what consequences you may face if you are convicted of your particular offense? You will almost certainly face higher car insurance rates, but you might also risk driver’s license suspension, a fine, probation, and other potential consequences that a lawyer can help you navigate and possibly avoid.
• Your familiarity with state law and local courts: Most non-lawyers are not very familiar with the laws of their state or how courts in their area operate, which puts you at a disadvantage. Traffic lawyers have more knowledge and experience in this area and can guide you through the process.

Tips for Choosing the Right Lawyer

When considering a lawyer for traffic violations, you can learn more by researching them and asking them questions directly.

Research and Referrals

Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find the right attorney. Ask family, friends, and other people you trust if they have recommendations.

The internet can help you find a lawyer who handles your type of case. Finding the right lawyer for you may feel overwhelming, so it is helpful to look for reviews from people who have worked with that lawyer before. 

Questions to Ask Potential Lawyers

The exact questions to ask a traffic ticket attorney may depend on the specific charges you are facing. The following may be a good start:

• Do they have experience with cases similar to yours?
• What is their fee structure?
• What can they tell you about expected outcomes in your case? Honesty is often the most important consideration here. Be wary of lawyers who promise you the world. A lawyer that provides realistic expectations is more likely to prioritize an attorney-client relationship built on trust.

Talk to a Traffic Attorney to Learn More

A traffic conviction in Kansas or Missouri can be highly disruptive to your life. An experienced traffic ticket attorney can help you understand your rights and options and find the best defense for your case. 

Sloan Law Office offers compassionate legal representation to people in the greater Kansas City area who face traffic-related charges for offenses such as DUI/DWI, speeding, driving while suspended, and careless & imprudent driving. Contact us today to schedule a confidential and free consultation to discuss your case.