DMV Traffic Ticket Points on Your Driving Record
Traffic tickets, drunk driving charges, or any other moving violation can all add points to your driving record.
Demerit points on your driver's license are assigned automatically by the DMV, not by a judge. They are non-negotiable. No judge can reduce or eliminate them because of special circumstances. The number of DMV points depend solely on whatever charge you may be convicted of by the court.
Conviction for various traffic offenses will result in the assignment of -6, -4 or -3 points to your driving record. Insurance companies may use this information to determine how good or bad your driving record is and how high your insurance rates should be.
Demerit points stay on your driving record for two years, while a conviction for a traffic offense can stay on your criminal record for many more.
If you accumulate too many points, the Department of Motor Vehicles can require a DMV-assigned driving course, suspend your driver's license, and put you on probation with the DMV. This kind of license suspension is purely administrative by the DMV and is separate from any action in the traffic court system.
Success in Court Is the Only Way
The only way to avoid license suspension and other negative consequences from too many DMV traffic ticket points is to get a positive result in court. That's where we can help.
We are the attorneys of MacDowell & Associates in Fairfax, Virginia. Our criminal defense lawyers have successfully represented clients in cases involving traffic tickets and DMV points for more than 25 years. To discuss your concerns, please contact our law firm for a free consultation to discuss your case.
We'll Fight Your Case in Court
The first question we ask ourselves is “how can we get this client’s charge dismissed” at trial if the case is not resolved with a plea offer acceptable to our client. We will pursue a plea negotiation strategy that is narrowly tailored to your exact situation. For example, if a prosecutor’s plea offer is unacceptable to our client, we would take the case to the judge to fight to get the charges against you dismissed, or to get a reckless driving accusation or other citation reduced to a lesser infraction.
We will also advise you of other options that would allow you to rehabilitate your driving record. For example, taking a voluntary driving improvement course can earn five positive points on your driving record. However, not everyone is eligible for the course. Also, some “on-line” driving improvement courses are approved by the DMV, though different judges may view these differently. To learn what options are available to you and what course of action makes sense in your situation, contact our office by e-mail or call 703-763-0923.
