Traffic Offenses Lawyer In Newark, Ohio

Many people do not take traffic violations very seriously. They may receive a speeding ticket or a citation for reckless driving, pay it and move on without considering the consequences. If you accumulate tickets, you may be facing the suspension of your driver’s license. This may also be the case if you fail to pay tickets or the ticket is for a serious traffic offense.

Help is available. I am a Newark, Ohio, traffic offenses attorney who can provide you with the insight and guidance you need when facing a traffic ticket. I work to protect my clients’ driver’s licenses, which in turn helps protect their livelihoods.

Have you had your driver’s license suspended? I can work to get it back. Call my office at 740-334-4256 to schedule a free consultation with me.

How Traffic Tickets Are Prosecuted In Licking County Courts

Traffic cases in Licking County are prosecuted in Newark Municipal Court and surrounding municipal courts depending on where the violation occurred. After you receive a citation, you have options: pay the ticket (which is a guilty plea), request a contested hearing or negotiate with the prosecutor.

Most people simply pay the ticket without understanding the consequences. Each traffic conviction adds points to your driving record, increases your insurance rates and brings you closer to license suspension. Once you pay the ticket, you have pleaded guilty and waived your right to challenge the citation.

What Evidence Prosecutors Rely On

Traffic prosecutions typically rely on:

• The officer’s citation and notes
• Radar or LIDAR speed detection readings
• Dashboard camera or body camera footage
• The officer’s testimony about what they observed

This evidence is often weaker than it appears. Officers make mistakes in their citations, radar devices malfunction or are improperly calibrated and dash camera footage may contradict the officer’s written report. I obtain all available evidence and identify inconsistencies that undermine the state’s case.

Traffic Violations That Can Lead To Criminal Charges

Not all traffic violations are minor infractions. Certain violations escalate to criminal misdemeanors or felonies that carry jail time, substantial fines and permanent criminal records.

Repeat Offenses

Accumulating multiple traffic violations within a short period can result in criminal charges. For example, driving under suspension becomes a criminal misdemeanor. If you are caught driving under suspension multiple times, the charge escalates to a higher-degree misdemeanor with mandatory jail time.

Accidents Causing Injury

A traffic violation that causes an accident resulting in injury can lead to criminal charges. Vehicular assault charges apply when your traffic violation causes serious physical harm to another person. These are felony charges carrying potential prison time.

Fleeing The Scene

Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense. Failure to stop after an accident is a first-degree misdemeanor if the accident caused property damage or injury. If the accident caused serious injury or death, fleeing the scene becomes a felony.

Willful/Wanton Disregard Charges

Operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property is a criminal offense. This charge applies when your driving demonstrates deliberate indifference to the safety of others. Examples include street racing, excessive speeding in school zones or deliberately running red lights. Willful/wanton disregard is a fourth-degree misdemeanor for a first offense but escalates to higher charges for repeat violations.

Aggravated Vehicular Offenses

When traffic violations combine with other factors such as OVI, they result in aggravated vehicular assault or aggravated vehicular homicide charges. These are serious felonies that I address in detail in my vehicular homicide practice area.

License Suspensions

• Driver’s license suspension – No matter why your driver’s license has been suspended, it is important to get a lawyer’s help and have your license reinstated as soon as you are eligible. If you are arrested for driving with a suspended license, you risk going to jail for an extended period.
• Commercial driver’s license suspensions – If you have a suspended CDL for drunk driving or other traffic offenses, your driving privileges and livelihood are at stake. Take action early on. There are strategies that can be used to fight your CDL suspension.

Criminal Charges And Your Driver’s License

Many people do not realize that a wide range of criminal charges can have an impact on your driver’s license. It may be in jeopardy of being suspended if you do not have an aggressive defense lawyer on your side. This is where I can help protect your right to drive.

I handle a full range of felonies and misdemeanors, including white collar crimes such as fraud or embezzlement, violent crimes such as aggravated assault and felony murder, and traffic offenses such as OVI/DUI/DWI, and driving under suspension.

I often defend individuals accused of drug crimes such as drug possession, distribution, trafficking, drug cultivation and manufacturing. Among the drugs involved in these cases are marijuana, methamphetamines or crystal meth, cocaine, crack, heroin and prescription drugs such as OxyContin. For many drug-related crimes and nonviolent crimes, there might be treatment or diversion options to consider that can be utilized to avoid a license suspension and/or conviction.

Common Questions About Traffic Offenses

People facing traffic violations often have questions about how tickets affect their license and record. These are concerns I address regularly with clients.

Do out-of-state traffic tickets affect my Ohio driver’s license?

Yes. Ohio participates in interstate compacts that share traffic violation information between states. If you receive a traffic ticket in another state and are convicted, that conviction typically appears on your Ohio driving record and can add points to your license. Failure to pay out-of-state tickets can also result in suspension of your Ohio license. Some states have more serious consequences than others, and certain violations may not transfer points. I can review your out-of-state ticket and advise whether it will affect your Ohio license.

How many points until my license is suspended in Ohio?

Ohio suspends your driver’s license if you accumulate 12 or more points within a two-year period. Point values vary by violation: speeding tickets range from two to four points depending on how much over the limit you were driving, running a red light is two points and reckless operation is four points. You can also face suspension for accumulating six points within 24 months if you are under 18. Points remain on your record for two years from the conviction date. I work to negotiate reduced charges that carry fewer points or seek dismissals to protect your driving record.

Free Consultation With A Newark Criminal Defense Attorney

Contact me, attorney Robert Calesaric, to schedule a consultation about your case. I represent clients throughout central Ohio, including Columbus. Call now at 740-334-4256.