Traffic Violations Charges in Las Vegas

For many of us, driving is an essential part of our lives in Las Vegas. We drive to get to our jobs, to go shopping, or to go meet friends and loved ones. With so much time spent on the road driving, it is almost unavoidable for someone to make a mistake and get a ticket. Every year, thousands of drivers in Nevada are given tickets for traffic violations. You have two choices when you receive traffic tickets, either pay the ticket or fight the ticket by going to court.

Many people tend to blindly pay the ticket without considering the consequences or their legal options. The fact is that, if you choose to simply pay the ticket, you are pleading guilty to the traffic violation. That violation will stay on your driving record for years and will affect your insurance rates. If you received a ticket, you should contact a Nevada traffic ticket defense attorney to discuss your options and legal rights.

Las Vegas Traffic Lawyer

If you forget about the ticket or ignore the deadline for handling the ticket, a criminal bench warrant can be issued. A judge can hold you in contempt of court for failing to appear in court or take care of the ticket. Contempt charges can include jail time, a higher fine or even a new criminal charge. If you have a bench warrant for a traffic ticket, you need to contact the Law Office of Joel M. Mann immediately. In addition to possibly being held in contempt of court, your failure to appear will stay on your record and could affect your custody status in other criminal proceedings.

The Law Office of Joel M. Mann can help you get rid of your traffic ticket violations. Joel Mann will make as many court appearances without you as possible in order to defend you against the traffic ticket. For more information and a free consultation call (702) 474-6266.

Examples of Nevada Traffic Violations

Attorney Joel Mann helps clients charged with a variety of traffic violations. Below are some other traffic violations in Nevada and the corresponding Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) codes:

§484B.403 Making illegal U-turns
§484B.300 Running a red light or a stop sign
§484B.653 Reckless driving
§484E.010 Hit and Run
§484B.200 Driving on the wrong side of the road
§484B.600 Speeding Violations
§483.560 Driving on a suspended license
§480.230 Driving without a valid license
§485.185 Driving with no proof of insurance
§482.205 Driving with no proof of registration
§484.641 Seat belt and child restraint violations

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Nevada Point System

The state of Nevada has a point system for some traffic violations. Most of the moving violations in Nevada range from 1 to 8 on the scale. If you ever plead guilty or get convicted of a violation, the points will be added to your driving record. If you ever get a total of 12 or more points in a twelve month period, the Nevada DMV will suspend your license for six months.

It is very important to take care of any tickets so that you can protect your ability to legally operate a motor vehicle. Note that if your license is suspended in Nevada you might not be able to drive in other states.

Below is a list of traffic violations and their corresponding point values. Remember that the points are not permanent. You can get them removed by taking traffic safety classes or wait two years and they will automatically be removed from your record. However your traffic convictions will stay on your record, but the points will come off so your license will not be suspended.

Reckless driving: 8 points
Careless driving: 6 points
Following too closely: 4 points
Failing to yield right-of-way: 4 points
Failing to yield to a pedestrian: 4 points
Disregarding traffic light or stop sign: 4 points
Driving too slowly: 2 points
Speeding (up to 10 mph over limit): 1 point
Speeding (11-15 mph over limit): 2 points
Speeding (16-20 mph over limit): 3 points
Speeding (21 mph or more over limit): 4 points
Speeding (1-15 mph over limit in school zone): 4 points
Speeding (16 mph or more over limit in school zone): 6 points

It is important to contact an experienced Las Vegas traffic attorney for a full explanation of the point system, and how it can affect your particular situation. Depending on your current driving record and the new citations, calculating the points can get complicated. Make sure you get your driving record and bring the citation to the traffic lawyer so you get a full assessment of the points on your driving record.

Moving violations v. Non-moving violations

Drivers can receive a ticket for either a moving violation or for a non-moving violation.

A moving violation refers to cases in which a driver violated a traffic law with a vehicle in motion. Points are assessed mainly for moving violations.

Examples of moving violations include:

  • Drunk driving
  • Speeding
  • Failure to stop a red light or stop sign

A non-moving violation, on the other hand, refers to cases that are related to parking or faulty equipment.

Examples of non-moving violations include things like:

  • Driving with broken taillights
  • Parking in a no-parking zone
  • Parking in a handicap space

If a driver receives a moving, the Nevada DMV will enter the offense on your driving record and assign demerit points on your license. Accumulation of demerit points on your license can result in additional fines and penalties including suspension of your driver’s license.

Insurance companies that regularly conduct checks on their costumer’s driver records will raise their insurance premiums if they find an offense on your driving record. People shouldn’t have to pay for minor mistakes for the rest of their lives. That is what will happen when drivers decide to pay the ticket without first consulting an experienced Nevada traffic ticket attorney. Fighting the ticket in court can sometimes be the best option, especially if you have a knowledgeable attorney on your side.

What to do if pulled over by the police

It is advisable to follow these basic steps when you see a police car signaling you to pull over:

  • Slow down immediately and put your blinker on.
  • Pull over to the shoulder, a nearby parking lot or any area where you can safely come to a complete stop.
  • Once you come to a stop, turn your vehicle completely off. Turn off the radio, engine and windshield wipers. You probably should leave your lights on if they are already on so that the officer can see.
  • Keep your hand on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 where the officer can see them.
  • Do not put your hands into your pockets or reach into the glove compartment. The officer may think that you are reaching for a weapon.
  • Do not leave the vehicle until the officer tells you to get out.
  • Obey all requests or orders that the officer gives you.
  • If the officer starts to write out a citation, do not protest. Acknowledge that you got the ticket and sign the paper. You will have the opportunity to fight the ticket.
  • If you are arrested, do not resist arrest. Immediately request to have a lawyer present at any questioning done by law enforcement.
  • Invoke your right to remain silent and do not say anything after invoking your Miranda rights.
  • Contact a lawyer immediately after you police encounter to make sure none of your rights have been violated and to find out your legal options if you were arrested or received a traffic citation.

What to do when involved in a car accident

It is inevitable that you will be involved in a car accident no matter how safely you drive. Of course, defensive driving, being aware of your surroundings, and adjusting your driving to the road conditions will go a long way in minimizing the risk of car accidents. Here are some tips to follow in the unfortunate event that you are in a car accident:

  • Make sure you have a first aid kit in the glove compartment or the trunk – It is helpful to be prepared in case you get into a car accident. You should have a first aid kit along with flare guns, cones, a list of emergency contacts and a charged cell phone in your car at all times
  • If there are only minor injuries and damage to the vehicles involved in the accident, make sure you move the cars out of the way of oncoming traffic. Make sure that everyone involved with the accident gets to a safe place.
  • Keep a disposable camera or a cell phone camera in your car at all times so that you can take pictures of the damage to your car. If you have to move the vehicles, it would be a good idea to take a picture of the orientation of the cars so that the police and accident investigators can have documentation to help them determine who was at fault for the accident.
  • Exchange Information – After the accident, exchange the following information:
    • Names
    • Addresses
    • Insurance companies
    • Policy numbers
    • License plate numbers
    • Make, model and year of cars involved in the accident
  • It is wise to file an accident report so you have official documentation of the incident.
  • Make sure you are familiar with the terms of your insurance policy. You should know whether you have comprehensive insurance or just collision insurance.

Following the above tips will help you in the event you are in an accident. Create a checklist and load the items like a safety kit, emergency contacts, and the camera into your car so you will always have it with you.

Contact The Law Office of Joel M. Mann to Know Your Legal Options

If you or someone you know needs has traffic violations, contact the Law Office of Joel M. Mann at (702) 474-6266 for a free legal consultation. Joel Mann is an experienced Las Vegas criminal defense attorney who can effectively help you deal with your traffic violations. He will go to court as many times as possible without you so that the traffic violation will not significantly affect your life.