Salinas Speeding Ticket Lawyer

Fight Your Speeding Ticket in Monterey County

Speeding, or driving faster than the posted speed limit, is against the law everywhere in California. State law typically classifies speeding as an “infraction,” though it can be elevated to a misdemeanor or even a felony offense in certain situations. 

If you have been issued a speeding ticket in Salinas or anywhere in Monterey County, you can either pay it and face the consequences—which may include steep fines and points on your driver’s license—or you can fight it. At Law Office of John Klopfenstein, we can help you contest your speeding ticket and work to keep your record clear. 

For more information, including how our Salinas speeding ticket attorney can help, call (831) 610-5921 or contact us online today.

Speeding Violations in California

In California, including in Monterey County, a person can be cited for speeding any time they drive faster than the posted speed limit. This includes amended speed limits in school zones, traffic zones, and other areas. 

There are three types of speeding violations, depending on the specific circumstances: 

• Traffic Infraction: Without the presence of other factors, a person may be cited for a traffic infraction for general speeding. With a traffic infraction, the person will be issued a speeding ticket, which must be paid or contested. 
• Misdemeanor: You can be charged with a misdemeanor for speeding when it is considered reckless, excessive, or risky to others. For example, speeding in a school zone or driving at more than 100 mph typically results in misdemeanor charges for reckless driving. 
• Felony: While speeding cannot result in felony charges on its own, you can be charged with a felony if you are accused of causing “serious injury” or the death of another as a result of driving recklessly and/or at excess speeds.

Regardless of the severity of your situation, being cited for speeding or being convicted of a misdemeanor or felony charge will have significant consequences. It’s important that you speak to a knowledgeable speeding ticket attorney in Salinas who can explain your options and help you pursue the best possible outcome. 

What Happens When You Get a Speeding Ticket? 

When you receive a speeding ticket, several things happen:

• Issuance of the Ticket: The officer will write a citation detailing the offense, including the date, time, location, and speed at which you were allegedly traveling.
• Payment or Contesting Options: The ticket will include instructions on how to respond. You typically have two options:
  • Pay the Fine: This is considered an admission of guilt, which may result in points on your driving record and other consequences. 
  • Contest the Ticket: You can choose to fight the citation in court. This often requires a court appearance and can involve presenting evidence or witnesses.
• Court Appearance: If you choose to contest the ticket and a court date is set, you will need to prepare your defense, which may involve gathering evidence and potentially hiring an attorney.

Penalties for Speeding 

The consequences of a speeding ticket can be serious, affecting your finances, your ability to drive, and more. If you are charged with a more serious speeding-related offense, such as reckless driving, you could even face jail time.

Some of the penalties and consequences associated with speeding tickets include: 

• Points on Your Driving Record: If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will add points to your driving record. Generally, a speeding violation results in one point, but this can increase if you're significantly over the speed limit. Once you have a certain number of points, the DMV can suspend your license.
• Impact on Insurance: Accumulating points can lead to higher insurance premiums. Insurance companies may view a speeding ticket as an indicator of risky driving behavior and may charge more accordingly. 
• Traffic School: In some cases, you may be eligible to attend traffic school to prevent points from being added to your record. This option is usually only available for first-time offenders or those who meet specific criteria.
• Driver’s License Suspension: If you accumulate too many points within a certain period—typically four points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months—you may face license suspension or other penalties.

At Law Office of John Klopfenstein, we work hard to help you avoid the negative impact of a speeding citation or charge. Our Salinas speeding ticket attorney has more than 30 years of experience and a long, proven track record of success.