Reckless driving and hit and run attorneys in Pierce County help you protect your driving privileges

The State of Washington has gotten tougher on speeders, reckless drivers and others who violate traffic laws since the court rules regarding traffic violations were revised in 2006, you can still fight your ticket. While it may just seem easier to go in, pay the fine and get it over with, there are ramifications. A guilty plea results in an increase in your auto insurance costs and points on your license. Depending on the violation and any problems you had in the past, it may even mean a suspension of your driving privileges.

At The Woods Law Office, PLLC, we are Tacoma traffic violations attorneys who believe in fighting back.

What is the difference between an infraction and a criminal traffic offense?

Traffic violations may be considered infractions, or they may be classified as criminal offenses. There is a big difference between an infraction and a criminal offense. For one thing, imprisonment is a possibility with a criminal traffic offense, but you cannot be jailed for an infraction. In either case, however, having an effective lawyer — one who is knowledgeable about state and local laws — is essential to achieving the best possible outcome. If you are charged with a serious offense such as a hit and run in Tacoma, attorney assistance is critical.

Infractions and criminal violations include:

• Reckless driving
• Reckless endangerment
• Failure to wear a seatbelt
• Street racing
• Speeding
• Illegal maneuvers
• Fleeing/eluding police vehicles in pursuit
• Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
• Driving with a revoked or suspended license

Some of the most serious traffic violations include drunk driving, hit-and-run and vehicular homicide. Doug Woods is an experienced vehicular homicide attorney and former prosecutor who knows how to build a strategic defense. For more than a decade, we have also helped those who have been charged with drunk driving. Public outcry from MADD and other groups has increased arrests and enforcement of the laws. If you have been stopped, charged or arrested, contact drunk driving attorney Doug Woods immediately.

Why do I need an attorney for a traffic infraction?

The burden of proof for traffic infractions is lower than the burden required for criminal cases. For traffic infractions, the burden is by “preponderance of the evidence” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” as it is in criminal cases. Under a preponderance of the evidence standard, the prosecution only has to show that a fact is more likely true than not true, which is a much easier standard for the government to meet than the requirement in criminal cases to prove the facts beyond a reasonable doubt.

Contact a Tacoma traffic violations law firm for a free consultation
Fighting a traffic ticket may help save your license and your freedom — and a consultation with attorney Doug Woods is free. To learn more or to schedule your consultation with Tacoma reckless driving attorney Doug Woods, please contact us online. We are available to meet on weekends or evenings, and we offer reasonable payment plans.