It happens all the time. You get a speeding ticket and you just decide to go ahead and pay it. You are not happy about the fine, but you can live with it.

The consequences come later. Your insurance company notifies you that they are raising your rates. Your employer states that you can no longer drive company vehicles or even fire you. Your CDL is impacted by the ticket. Any time you pay a ticket it constitutes a guilty finding as if you were convicted in court.

People do not realize that there is a way in many cases to reopen these convictions and get a court date. An attorney can file a motion to reopen the ticket and have the case set in for a trial or waiver hearing. These motions are often granted. The odds are much better if it is a recent traffic ticket as opposed to an older one.

If your attorney is able to get a court date, you have a chance at an acquittal if the police officer does not appear or there other defenses. Even if you are convicted, the judge can modify the conviction to probation before judgment or reduce the charge to lower the points.

Contact counsel right away if you have paid a moving violation to explore your options. It is not too late.