Faqs

Our usual approach is to seek an amendment to a non-moving violation, with the goal of keeping the ticket off your driving record and protecting your insurance. You still pay the fine and any court costs, in addition to our legal fee. Send us the citation so we can assess the charge, court, and available resolution.

Unless otherwise posted, the following speed limits apply throughout the state of Louisiana:

• Interstate: 70 mph or 75 mph
• Limited Access Roads – 65 mph
• Other Primary Roads – 55 mph
• Residential Areas – 25 mph

Speed limits are enforced by use of radar, Vascar, pacing, aircraft, and laser.

The consequences may be severe: an attachment for your arrest may have been issued, a contempt fine may be assessed, and your license may be suspended or could be in the process of being suspended. The procedures and timelines vary greatly from court to court. Even if you missed your court date, you should act as soon as possible in order to prevent further harm to your driving record. You need our qualified traffic ticket attorney to assist you.

A moving-violation conviction can affect your insurance, but the effect depends on the insurer, policy, and driving history. We seek an appropriate non-moving amendment to help protect your record and insurance. The fine still has to be paid; the purpose of our representation is to address the charge and its longer-term consequences.

You may receive a ticket at the scene, however it is possible you can fight the decision in court. In every charge of a speeding violation, the complaint must specify:

• the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven,
• the speed which is posted, and
• the time and place of the alleged violation.

Another form of checking speed is “pacing”: an officer in a patrol car with a calibrated speedometer accelerates to a speed roughly equivalent to the suspect’s, and then keeps a steady distance behind the suspect’s vehicle while consulting the speedometer.

Paying a speeding ticket as issued can resolve it as a moving-violation conviction. Before paying, let our attorneys review whether an amendment to a non-moving violation is available. If the charge is amended, you still pay the fine and any court costs under the resolution. Keep track of the court date while our team reviews the matter.

Our traffic ticket attorneys review the citation, handle the legal work, and negotiate with the prosecutor. We usually seek an amendment to a non-moving violation to help protect your driving record and insurance. Dismissal is uncommon in our practice. We explain the expected costs and whether the court requires you to appear.

Harsh consequences await a driver caught speeding in a school zone: if a person operating a motor vehicle in Louisiana exceeds the speed limit in an active school zone, the fine for such a violation is increased by fifty percent over the standard fine imposed. The proceeds from the fine increase are forwarded to the public school system in which the incident occurred. Louisiana law provides that the penalty for a first violation shall be a fine of not more than $175 or imprisonment for 30 days or less, or both. A fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for 90 days or less or both shall punish a second or more violation.

Traffic school is required only when it is part of an approved resolution that applies to your case. Louisiana’s Article 892.1 provides specific court-approved course procedures with eligibility requirements. Taking a class independently does not automatically remove a ticket from your record. Our attorneys will explain any course obligation, deadline, and payment required for your matter.

Driving-record reporting and retention depend on the offense and the record being requested. An insurer’s use of a record is a separate issue. Our attorneys review the final charge and disposition so you understand the result of the amendment we seek. See our Louisiana driving-record guide for more information.

It is unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle on any public street, road, or highway of this state unless he has been issued a license by the department, or by a public license tag agent, authorized to issue drivers’ licenses.

Typically, the out of state arresting agency will report your ticket to the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles. Then your insurance company would be able to review your driving record regardless of where you are given a citation.

Typically, the answer is no. However, if the officer “reasonably suspects” that you are armed and dangerous or involved in criminal activity, he/she does have the right to request to search your vehicle. If the officer does see something suspicious, then the law allows him to perform a “pat-down” search of you and of the passenger compartment of your car. He or she can also “frisk” (feels the outside of) any purses, bags or any other item in the car that could possibly contain a weapon.

• Open intoxicants are prohibited in the vehicle.
• Firearms are permitted in the vehicle.
• Studded tires are prohibited.
• Tire chains are not required.
• Louisiana has a seat belt law with primary enforcement for all front seat occupants.
• Louisiana has a mandatory child restraint law for passengers under 6 years of age. Children under age 3 must use approved car safety seats.
• Louisiana has a mandatory motorcycle helmet law.
• Registration and insurance card must be carried in the vehicle.

Convictions for moving violations will go on your driving record. Some common examples of moving violations that will appear on your driving record upon conviction are:

• Speeding
• Running a red light
• Running a stop sign
• Changing lanes unsafely
• Failure to control speed
• Failure to yield right of way

Our firm has handled more than 2,500 tickets and helped more than 2,000 clients. Send us your Louisiana speeding ticket before its deadline so our attorneys can review it and explain the fee, court requirements, and available resolution.

Louisiana Traffic Ticket Lawyers will work with you and do everything we can to produce a positive result.