2007-09-06 17:03:51 · 11 answers · asked by officer brooks 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Public defenders are not assigned in traffic court. You will have to pay for an attorney if you want one.
2007-09-06 17:13:13 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'd have to hire a lawyer which would be a huge expense compared to the fine related to such a minor offense.
If you want to contest a ticket just tell the judge the facts as you know them. Do your foot work. After all this is all lawyers do before presenting the evidence in court. If having pictures of the "crime scene" helps you then go take them. If testimonials are helpful get them. If you can find the local traffic code related to the offense get a print out of it. A well supported case is a winning one and if nothing else you will make a huge impression and that will always go in your favor.
2007-09-06 17:24:43 · answer #2 · answered by Ta Dah! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By all means go to court with it unless it will cost you more from time away from work than you will save by going to court.
You will not need a public defender.
One possibility is that the officer that gave you the ticket will not appear. In which case it will be dismissed. That happens a lot.
Another real good possibility is that they will reduce the fine if you appear. And they may not add points to your driving record.
You may be given the option of attending driving school in lieu of a fine or you may opt to do community service in lieu
of paying cash.
those are some of the options.
Just explaining why you made a wrong turn may reduce your fine.
2007-09-06 17:17:41 · answer #3 · answered by shrdlu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't get assigned a public defender unless you have been charged with a crime in criminal court.
This is a traffic violation. You don't need an attorney to fight the ticket. You can do it yourself.
However, if you want legal counsel, which is recommended anytime you appear in court, then you will have to pay for it yourself.
2007-09-07 10:55:47 · answer #4 · answered by La Bella Vita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can only get a public defender for criminal cases. Also in Tennessee if you figure out a way to pay your way out of jail with bail money the court wil not allow public defender saying that you should be able to afford your own lawyer. By the way, a person defending themselves in a legal matter has a fool for a client.
2007-09-06 17:10:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need a public defender.
But on what grounds will you fight it? The only real defense to the charge is "I didn't make the turn." Not seeing the sign, etc. don't really count.
2007-09-06 17:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by Citicop 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most ppl take care of tickets by themselves. Cities & Counties intentionally keep tickets a bit pricey, but not so hugely expensive that folks will bother hiring an attorney to help them. It's all a money-bilking scam.
2007-09-06 17:10:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bill T. is right on this one. You'll have to shell out your own money to fight a traffic violation. Try fighting it yourself. If you lose, just pay the fine. It's much cheaper to just pay the fine and attend traffic school than to get a lawyer.
2007-09-06 17:13:01 · answer #8 · answered by Marco R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Even if you wanted one, you can't. That's only for criminal charges. Defend yourself, or stop making illegal turns. ;)
2007-09-06 17:12:02 · answer #9 · answered by predawn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nah, not necessarily. usually you just go and contest it, and you get a hearing. i'd get legal advice from a law office before making the decision.
2007-09-06 17:07:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋