Traffic Violations Attorney in Memphis, Tennessee
No one enjoys being stopped on suspicion of a traffic violation, and encounters with law enforcement become worse when they end with a traffic citation. Many individuals who are ticketed simply pay the fine and move on with their lives.
The important thing to note about paying fines for a traffic citation is that you are effectively pleading guilty to the alleged violation when you pay the fine. While some believe that traffic violations are simply a harmless nuisance, repeated convictions for traffic violations could lead to a person having their driver’s license suspended or revoked.
Did you recently receive a traffic ticket in the greater Memphis area? Do not pay that fine without first contacting an attorney. You do not always have to accept the ticket and the associated consequences, and an experienced attorney could be able to help you avoid the potentially negative repercussions traffic violations can have on your finances and your driving privileges.
Shannon A. Jones, Attorney at Law can represent you in court and possibly prevent you from having to make an appearance. Call (901) 390-9041 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation with an experienced Memphis traffic ticket attorney today.
You Won’t Even Need to Appear in Court
Before you attempt to resolve your case on your own, call Shannon A. Jones, Attorney at Law as soon as possible for legal representation and guidance. You may not even need to appear in court. Mr. Jones can represent you on his own, depending on your case. Call today if you’ve received a traffic ticket for:
Speeding
Tailgating
Driving without insurance
Failing to wear a seatbelt
Failing to stop at a red light
Mr. Jones also handles cases involving minor accidents. Mr. Jones could resolve your case with no evidence of the violation. Call today to create a plan of action for your traffic violation.
Tennessee Traffic Laws
Tennessee assigns point values to all traffic offenses. A driver who accumulates 6 points in a given year will be sent a warning letter and a person who amasses 12 points risks having their driver’s license suspended.
A license can be suspended for six to twelve months, depending on the number of points involved. Drivers who younger than 18 years of age can have their licenses suspended for three to six months when they have 6 to 9 points or six months when they have 10 or more points.
The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security provides the following schedule of point values for moving traffic violations:
Tickets and Court Abstractions where speed not indicated on source documents — 3 points
Speeding 1 through 5 mph in excess of speed zone — 1 point
Speeding 6 through 15 mph in excess of speed zone — 3 points
Speeding 16 through 25 mph in excess of speed zone— 4 points
Speeding 26 through 35 mph in excess of speed zone — 5 points
Speeding 36 through 45 mph in excess of speed zone — 6 points
Speeding 46 mph and above in excess of speed zone — 8 points
Speed is less than posted minimum — 3 points
Driving too fast for conditions, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident — 3 points
Operating at erratic or sudden changing speed — 3 points
Reckless Driving — 6 points
Careless or negligent driving — 4 points
Failing to obey traffic instructions — 4 points
Improper passing — 4 points
Wrong-way, side or direction — 4 points
Following improperly — 3 points
Following emergency vehicle unlawfully — 3 points
Failing to yield the right-of-way — 4 points
Making improper turn — 3 points
Failure to signal direction or to reduce speed suddenly — 3 points
Stopping, standing, obstructing, or blocking traffic — 3 points
Coasting; operating gears disengaged — 3 points
Improper backing — 3 points
Improper starting, burning rubber, spinning tires, peeling out — 3 points
Driver view or mechanism obstructed — 3 points
Driving mountain highway-controlled/audible warning — 3 points
Inability to maintain control — 3 points
Improper operation of or riding on a motorcycle — 3 points
Improper lane or location, driving on roadways laned for traffic — 3 points
Use of controlled access roadway — 4 points
Inattentive driving, due care, failure to drive in a careful manner, unsafe lookout, improper driving — 3 points
Cross private property to avoid stop sign or signal — 4 points
Operating a vehicle while using a cell phone (under 18) — 6 points
Passing a stopped school bus, church or youth bus taking on or discharging passengers— 8
Violation of driver license or certificate restrictions — 6 points
Reckless endangerment by vehicle (misdemeanor) — 8 points
Miscellaneous traffic violations; any offense involving the unsafe operation of a non- commercial motor vehicle not herein specified — 3 points
Leaving the scene of a crash (no revocation action only) — 5 points
Failure to report a crash— 4 points
Failure to yield to emergency vehicles; Failure to change lanes/slow down for authorized vehicles on the roadside — 6 points
Failure to stop at a railroad crossing — 8 points
The schedule of point values is as follows for non-commercial vehicles speeding in a construction zone:
Tickets and court abstracts where speed not indicated — 4 points
Speeding 1 through 5 mph in excess of posted speed — 2 points
Speeding 6 through 15 mph in excess of posted speed — 4 points
Speeding 16 through 25 mph in excess of posted speed — 5 points
Speeding 26 through 35 mph in excess of posted speed — 6 points
Speeding 36 mph and above in excess of posted speed — 8 points
The schedule of point values is as follows for contributing to the occurrence of accidents:
Contributing to an accident involving property damage — 3 points
Contributing to an accident resulting in bodily injury— 4 points
Contributing to an accident resulting in another’s death— 8 points
Other violations involve the following schedule of point values:
Operating without driver license in possession— 2 points
Operating without being licensed or without the license required for that type of vehicle operated — 3 points
Operating while driver license required for the type of vehicle operated is under suspension, revocation or cancellation — 8 points
Fleeing Law Enforcement Officer (misdemeanor) — 8 points
Child Endangerment (misdemeanor) — 8 points
Tennessee also has schedules of point values for moving traffic violations involving commercial vehicles and construction zone or hauling hazardous materials involving commercial vehicles. Reckless driving or driving while disqualified in a commercial vehicle is punishable by 8 points.
What are the penalties for traffic violations in Tennessee?
Points are one concern about a traffic violation. Another concern is usually the accompanying fine.
The City of Memphis reports that the following fines apply to the following traffic ordinances:
Driving on the divided highway — $57.75
Driving within sidewalk area — $57.75
Obstructing intersection/crosswalk — $57.75
Following too closely — $62.75
Speeding, 1-5 MPH over the speed limit — $42.75
Speeding, 6-10 MPH over the speed limit — $52.75
Speeding, 11-15 MPH over the speed limit — $67.75
Speeding, 16-25 MPH over the speed limit — $77.75
Impeding traffic/minimum speed regulation — $47.75
Failure to yield/controlled intersection — $62.75
Failure to yield/intersection — $62.75
Stop/intersections — $62.75
Disregarding stop sign — $62.75
Failure to yield/stop sign — $62.75
One-way streets — $62.75
Turning movements generally — $62.75
Improper turns general — $62.75
Improper right turn — $62.75
Improper left turn — $62.75
Improper left turn/wrong lane — $62.75
Driving straight in turn lane — $52.75
Prohibited turn — $52.75
Improper U-turn — $52.75
Turning/stopping signals generally — $52.75
Change of direction after signal — $52.75
Failure to yield right of way/left turn — $62.75
Improper backing — $62.75
Failure to yield/emergency vehicle — $82.75
Striking parked vehicle/fixed object — $62.75
Disregard railroad sign/signal — $62.75
Failure to stop at a railroad crossing — $62.75
Driving around/through railroad gate — $62.75
Obstructing traffic prohibited — $62.75
Unattended vehicle — $62.75
Child passenger safety responsibility — $42.75
Safety belts required — $57.75
Improper display of license plate — $47.75
Inspection of vehicle required — $57.75
Defective brakes — $62.75
Lights required on a motor vehicle — $57.75
Bright lights — $52.75
Taillights required — $57.75
Stoplights required — $57.75
Each headlamp operational — $57.75
Lights on vehicle/other than a motor vehicle — $57.75
Lamp at end of a train of vehicles — $57.75
No headlights — $57.75
Headlights operational/rain — $57.75
Muffler required — $47.75
Windshield and windows — $47.75
Escape of load prohibited — $62.75
Traffic control signals — $82.75
Disregarded red light — $82.75
Disobeying flashing signals — $62.75
Controlled access roadways — $47.75
Obedience to devices — $47.75
Obedience to traffic officers — $47.75
Devote full attention to vehicle operation — $62.75
Failure to maintain safe speed — $62.75
Failure to maintain safe lookout— $62.75
Failure to maintain proper control— $62.75
Pulling away from the curb— $62.75
Failure to yield/emerging/entering alley, driveway— $62.75
Duty to drive to the right side of roadway— $62.75
Pass vehicle opposite direction — $57.75
Passing vehicles same direction— $57.75
Cutting in and out(passing)— $57.75
Wrong side of street passing — $57.75
Passing on the right side— $57.75
Changing/straddling lanes — $57.75
Failure to drive to the right — $57.75
Fines for speeding in a school zone, passing a stopped school bus, no driver’s license, violations of state registration law, failure to report an accident or provide immediate notice to police, reckless driving, and speeding offenses involving 26+ MPH over the speed limit are all determined by the court. Reckless driving is also a class B misdemeanor that can result in six months of jail time.
Defending Against Traffic Violations in Memphis
When you have been cited for any traffic violation, your first defense might very well be that you did not break the law. For example, a faulty radar could produce incorrect readings and lead to a speeding ticket being thrown out.
Other factors could also be applicable to certain cases, so conduct that allegedly violated the law may have been legally justified. Some people may have committed violations in emergency situations.
If you were issued a traffic citation in Memphis or another nearby community in Tennessee you will want to consider hiring a lawyer to possibly fight your ticket. Not only could this avoid a significant fine, but it can also help make sure that you do not accrue damaging points on your record.
Shannon A. Jones, Attorney at Law has been handling traffic cases since 1997. We can discuss all of your legal options as soon as you call (901) 390-9041 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.