Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor offense?
No one enjoys being pulled over by a law enforcement official. There’s nothing fun about the experience when you realize you might be on the wrong side of the law. The penalties for traffic offenses vary, but they should always be treated seriously.
Many questions will pop into your mind, there’s one that’s heard often… Is a speeding ticket a misdemeanor or a felony?
A misdemeanor is a punishable criminal act that often results in fines and jail time in some cases.
While the penalties for a felony often carry much higher fines, longer jail time, and a much worse off criminal record.
In some instances, traffic offenses such as moving violations are referred to as infractions. And an infraction is not a crime or misdemeanor. However, a traffic offense will be regarded as a misdemeanor if it causes injury to people or damage to property.
If a speeding ticket was to get upgraded to a felony charge there would likely be additional factors at hand. Such as drinking and driving or serious injury.
The good news? Individuals have the right to challenge the charges they are facing and hopefully keep these charges from going on your record.
With this in mind, there is a lot to know about dealing with a speeding offense. Read here to find out more.
What Do You Know About a Speeding Ticket?
Speeding can be termed as a moving violation by exceeding the limit. The motorist gets a speeding ticket by law enforcement, citing a moving violation. Another form of traffic ticket can be something like a parking violation, which is referred to as a non-moving violation.
The consequences of getting a speeding ticket vary, and you should know the likely outcomes. They include the following:
- Fines
The fines will depend on how faster you were over the speed limit before getting pulled over. This will also include an incident where you were speeding near or in a construction or school zone.
- Increase Insurance Costs
An insurance company may consider you a risky driver if you get or keep getting speeding tickets. Therefore, they will increase your car insurance rates, and it will cost more money per year.
- Affect Your Driving Record and Privileges
There is a possibility of affecting your driving record and the privileges that come with it. If you get multiple moving violations, including speeding, you will likely face license suspension.
- Employment Issues
If employed as a driver or looking for employment, employers will check your driving record. Having a speeding ticket or related violation may pose a threat to your job and future employers.
Best Thing to Do When You Get a Speeding Ticket
You are probably wondering what to do when you get a speeding ticket for the first time. Some people will opt to pay the required amount, but this will affect your insurance rates. Others will decide to fight the offense or negotiate in a court of law.
The best solution? Consult an experienced, well-trained, and reliable speeding ticket lawyer. A good lawyer will help resolve your speeding ticket as quickly as possible. You will get expert advice, save time, and keep your license.
In Conclusion
A speeding ticket is an infraction and not considered a criminal offense. It carries a fine and can affect your driving record or privileges. Your state can waive your first moving violation if you are taking a driving course or get a deferral whereby you pay a fine.
Whatever you do, don’t just ignore a speeding ticket. A more practical solution is to seek the guidance of a speeding ticket lawyer near you and avoid likely consequences.