Municipal Ordinance
Quite often a driver will by charged with disorderly people’s offense. A good lawyer will try to get the charges downgraded to a municipal ordinance. This type of charge will not give a person a criminal record, and it is not searchable.
Payment Plan of Fines
Quite often the fines are outrageous for traffic cases. The municipal court judge will permit a driver to pay the fines over time, if after review of a financial disclosure, the driver proves he can’t make the payments. Each municipal court judge has their own “collection†policies. It is wise for all drivers to come to court with at least $200 to make payments. A payment of $200 will show the court some respect for the seriousness of the proceeding.
Payment of Fines by Credit Card
Some municipal courts permit drivers to pay fines by credit card. However, this practice varies from court to court. Always call the court before the hearing, to assess if the court will accept a credit card. This can be a great way to earn frequent flier miles!
Plea Bargaining
This is the process wherein tickets are downgraded to lesser charges. There is no plea bargaining in DWI cases. However, if the defense prepares a good case, then the prosecutor can offer an alternative disposition, and have the DWI charge downgraded to a reckless driving, or dismiss it.
Public Defender
A public defender will only be appointed for charges of consequences of magnitude. Cases which constitute consequences of magnitude are driving while suspended, driving without insurance, and DWI. In some municipal courts, the public defenders are excellent. In other municipal courts, the public defenders are overworked, and they do not have time to put a significant amount of effort into your case. The amount of money that a driver earns is the determinative factor as to whether the court will appoint a public defender.
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