We try our best to follow Michigan’s traffic laws, but in some cases a mistake or slight misjudgment could cause a person to violate simple traffic rules. Speeding, running a stop sign, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, or violating any traffic law could result in serious penalties. You may be required to pay ridiculous fines, have points added to your driving record, and as a result experience sharp insurance premium spikes.
If you or someone you know has been accused of violating traffic laws, it’s important you get in contact with an experienced traffic crime defense attorney. Remember, if you pay a ticket then you are essentially pleading guilty to the conviction. Don’t give the state a dime until you’ve spoken to an experienced traffic ticket attorney who can examine the facts of the violation and craft a defense, so your penalties are reduced or dismissed.
Traffic Ticket Attorney in Oakland County, Michigan
If you were charged with a traffic misdemeanor or felony offense in Oakland County, MI, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Dallo Law, P.C.. Attorney J. Dallo fights criminal cases throughout Oakland County, and the surrounding areas. His comprehensive knowledge of traffic laws in Michigan will allow him to efficiently review the evidence in order to aggressively defend your case in court and overcome your ticket.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the facts of the case, the charges pending against you, and the best defenses. You can set up your first consultation with J. Dallo by calling Dallo Law, P.C. at (248) 283-7000 today. Dallo Law, P.C. represents clients throughout the greater Oakland County and Macomb County area in the state of Michigan including Pontiac, Waterford Township, Troy, Oakland Charter Township, Clarkston, Southfield, Rochester, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Warren, Clinton Township, New Baltimore, Fraser, Romeo, Utica, and Harrison Charter Township.
Information Center:
- Common Traffic Violations Under Michigan Law
- Failure to Appear for a Misdemeanor Traffic Violation
- Serious Traffic Violations in Michigan
- Additional Resources
Common Traffic Violations Under Michigan Law
- Reckless Driving – Traffic laws consider the safety of pedestrians, other drivers, and unattended property. That is why there are laws prohibiting reckless driving. A person can be charged with reckless driving if they disregard the safety of persons or property around them by operating a vehicle in a dangerous manner. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor that could result in jail times and expensive fines.
- Speeding – One of the most common traffic violations is speeding over the legal limit. The rate of speeding tickets varies by county in Michigan, and if you receive a ticket it’s likely your insurance rate will also increase significantly.
- Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License – As with every state, it’s illegal in Michigan to drive with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Doing so could result in further license suspensions and even possible time in jail.
- Moving Violations Causing Injury – Moving violations are normally viewed as minor infractions by drivers. However, if another person is injured, then the matter becomes much more serious and you could face criminal consequences if found guilty.
Failure to Appear for a Misdemeanor Traffic Citation
In Michigan, the courts with jurisdiction over misdemeanor traffic offenses include the district courts and the municipal courts. For traffic felony cases, the district court has jurisdiction over all felonies through the preliminary examination and until the entry of an order to bind the defendant over to the circuit court. Thereafter, the circuit court has jurisdiction to try felony offenses and conduct sentencing proceedings.
For any Michigan resident who fails to appear in court or respond to a misdemeanor traffic citation, the court “must initiate the procedures required by MCL 257.321a for the failure to answer a citation” and “may issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.” MCR 6.615(B)(1)(a)-(b).
If the person who fails to appear in court or otherwise respond to a misdemeanor traffic citation is not a resident of Michigan, then MCR 6.615(B)(2) provides:
- the court may mail a notice to appear to the defendant at the address in the citation;
- the court may issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest; and
- if the court has received the driver’s license of a nonresident, pursuant to statute, it may retain the license as allowed by statute. The court need not retain the license past its expiration date.
If a warrant was issued for your arrest because of missing court after being charged with a traffic crime, then contact a criminal defense attorney at Dallo Law, P.C. to find the best way to resolve the warrant and the underlying case.
Serious Traffic Violations in Michigan
- Operating a Vehicle Over the Speed of 100 Miles Per Hour – Speeding past the legal limit is prohibited in Michigan, but the crime is much more serious if you are driving 100 mph or more. Depending on the circumstances, you could even be sent to jail.
- Leaving the Scene – Michigan law requires drivers to stop their cars and remain at the scene of an accident to exchange information with anyone involved. Failure to do so will result in hit and run charges, and if injury or death was involved your charge will be elevated to a felony.
- Reckless Driving with Serious Injury – If you were recklessly driving and caused an accident where another person sustained serious injury, then the charge is a felony. The crime is also referred to as aggravated vehicular assault.
- Moving Violations Causing Death – When a person loses their life in a car accident, the other party who caused the crash could be charged with a moving violation causing death. The prosecutor is not required to prove your negligence and instead only must demonstrate a causal link between your moving violation and the victim’s death. Penalties for a moving violation causing death can include up to one year in jail.
Additional Resources
Michigan’s Point System for Traffic Violations – Visit the official website for the Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to learn more about their point system. Access the site to learn how the point systems works, how long points will remain on your driving record, points for common traffic violations and other related information.
Offense Code Index for Traffic Violations – Visit the official website for the Michigan government to gain access to their offense code index solely for traffic violations. Access the site to look up various traffic violations, their possible statutory license sanctions, if adjudication is possible, and the elements of the traffic offense.
Traffic Crimes Attorney in Oakland County, Michigan
Michigan traffic charges have harsh penalties and require strong and knowledgeable attorneys if you want to effectively defend it. Since its inception Dallo Law, P.C. has provided a strong defense to their clients for years for their traffic related charges or violations. J. Dallo of Dallo Law, P.C. can contest your charges or ticket and develop a formidable defense plan to defend your rights.
Set up your first consultation with J. Dallo of Dallo Law, P.C. by calling (248) 283-7000. Dallo Law, P.C. accepts clients throughout the greater Oakland County and Macomb County area including Pontiac, Waterford Township, Troy, Rochester, Clarkston, Southfield, Royal Oak, Clinton Township, Warren, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Eastpointe, Fraser, Romeo, Armada, and Utica.