Traffic Ticket FAQs

No, you do not need to take responsibility for your traffic ticket in Michigan. Instead you can challenge the ticket by hiring an experienced traffic ticket lawyer. There are two options when fighting a traffic ticket: 

1. At ArborYpsi law our attorneys will go to court for you and attempt to get the ticket changed to a non-moving violation. A non-moving violation has zero points and will not go on your record.

2. Hold a formal traffic hearing. This is like a mini-trial in front of the judge. The prosecution’s burden of proof is preponderance of the evidence. This means you are found responsible if it’s more likely than not that you committed the infraction. Witnesses like police officers and other parties will be questioned during the trial. Our job at ArborYpsi law is to fight for your side of the story and get your traffic case dismissed. 

Accumulating points on your driver’s license can stay on your record for 2 years. This can lead to increased insurance costs. Hiring a traffic lawyer to prevent these points from going on your record can save you money in the long run.

If you receive 12 points or more in a 2 year period your driver’s license can be suspended. At this point it is mandatory to attend an interview with the Secretary of State. At ArborYpsi  Law we can attend these secretary of state hearings with you to fight to keep your driving record clear. Michigan Legislature. 

A CDL operator wants to avoid serious traffic violations on their driving record. For instance, a DUI or felony with a motor vehicle can result in a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) suspension or revocation. It is in your best interest to hire a traffic attorney if you want your CDL to remain clear.

If you are found guilty of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Michigan you will receive 6 points on your driving record. Michigan Legislature. 

If you refuse the chemical test at the police station you will receive 6 points on your driving record and a suspension of your license for 1 year. It is advisable to refuse the breathalyzer at the side of the road and take the chemical test at the police station. Refusing the chemical test leads to too many consequences. Law enforcement will obtain a warrant for the chemical test anyways. It is best to take the chemical test in order to avoid penalties. Michigan Legislature. 

– Accident – Failure to Stop or ID after Personal Injury – 6 points, misdemeanor
– Accident – Failure to Stop or ID after Property Damage – 6 points, misdemeanor
– Accident – Hit and Run – 6 points
– Careless Driving – 3 points
– Disobey Stop Sign – 3 points
– Disobey Traffic Signal – 3 points
– Drag Racing – 4 points, misdemeanor
– Driving While License Suspended/Revoked/Denied – 2 points, misdemeanor, additional suspension
– Diving Without Due Care and Caution – 2 points
– Failure to Dim Lights – 2 points
– Failure to Signal – 2 points
– Failure to Stop within Clear Distance – 2 points
– Failure to Yield – 2 points
– Failure to Yield to Emergency Responder – 2 points
– Improper Passing – 3 points
– Improper Turn – 2 points
– Open Container of an Intoxicant in a Motor Vehicle – misdemeanor
– Reckless Driving – 6 points, misdemeanor, a 90-day suspension
– Speeding 5 MPH over – 1 point
– Speeding 10 MPH over – 2 points
– Speeding up through 15 MPH – 3 points
– Speeding over 15 MPH – 4 points
– Violation of Basic Speeding Laws – 2 points

Michigan Legislature

– Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in damage to fixtures upon a highway: punishable up to 90 days in jail, a $100 fine or both.
– Leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to a vehicle: punishable up to 90 days in jail, $1,000 fine or both. The driver will receive 6 points on their record.
– Leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury to a person: prison time up to 1 year, $1,000 fine, or both, accumulation of 6 points on your driving record.
– Serious impairment of a bodily function or death: Up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. If the driver who fled the scene caused the accident, penalties may up to 15 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. 6 points are assessed on the driver’s record. Michigan Legislature. 

When a prosecutor or police officer considers reducing a ticket, they will look at a couple things.

​1. What is the person’s driving record? If a person has 15previous tickets on their record, it will of course be more difficult to obtain a favorable result in court. On the other hand, if your record is clean, that really helps to obtain a favorable result.

​2. Was there a car accident that lead to the ticket? Obviously, not all tickets are equal. Speeding 10 miles over the speed limit is something we all do from time to time. But if your ticket involved wrecking someone else’s car, then you probably will not expect a prosecutor or police officer to be thrilled about that situation. 

​3. How was your interaction with the police officer? This may not seem obvious, but it can matter. Someone who is rude to the officer after being pulled over may face an uphill battle when trying to fight the ticket later. A police officer might be less willing to offer an impeding traffic or double-parking ticket if you were impolite to him or her.

If you get pulled over by a police officer, and they are going to write you a ticket, just smile and take the ticket. Or if you were going 30 miles per hour over the speed limit perhaps apologize for the infraction and move on. It may help you later.

Yes, a lawyer at ArborYpsi law can help you fight your Michigan traffic ticket. Please call us today to see how we can help with the ticket. A lawyer can deal with the ticket, so you don’t have to do anything. If you hire us to help with a ticket, we will do everything – starting the process by scheduling a hearing, attending court without you to resolve the ticket, and sending you e-mail updates so you can follow along with how the case progresses. Afterwards we will follow up to make sure you understand everything and can take care of any fines. We guarantee that we will do everything we can to get you a good result with your Michigan ticket.