Traffic Tickets

What are moving violations? Most offenses that are committed while the vehicle is in motion are considered moving violations. These are added to your driving record. Check the following list to see if your ticket is considered a moving violation… administrative violations include things like failure to appear, expired registration/inspection stickers, etc.

• These are some common moving violations… Click here for a complete list of moving violations
  • Fail to signal turn
  • Fail to stop – designated point – at stop sign
  • Speeding – 10 % above posted speed limit
  • Speeding – school zone
  • Drove without lights – when required

What is the point system?
For certain traffic tickets, points will be placed on an individuals driving record. If more than 5 points are assigned to the driving record, then fines are charged to the individual annually (surcharges- big financial nightmare!). Not only does the state collect more money out of your pocket every year but too many points leads to a suspension of one’s license.

• A driver’s license will be automatically suspended if an individual is convicted of more than three moving violations within a 12-month period.
• Automatic suspension also applies for more than six moving traffic violations within a 24-month period.
• Automatic suspension also applies if an individual is convicted of more than one violation that conflicts with a restriction or endorsement printed on their driver’s license.
• Points accumulate for a period of 3 years.

What traffic tickets are points assessed for?

• 2 points are assessed for any of the moving violations listed above
• 3 Points are assessed for a traffic conviction that resulted in a crash

What are surcharges?
A surcharge is basically a tax that is paid to the State of Texas. There are many ways to accumulate surcharges. A surcharge will need to be paid every year that 6 or more points are on the driving record. There are conviction-based surcharges that are assessed regardless of how many points are on the driving record. The following are automatic conviction surcharges and the fines are charged every year for 3 years.

• Intoxication: 1st offense, driving intoxicated, intoxication assault, or manslaughter ($1000).
• Intoxication: 2nd + offenses, driving intoxicated, intoxication assault, or manslaughter ($1500).
• DWI: with BAC of 0.16+ ($2000).
• Driving while license invalid: cancelled, suspended, revoked, or denied renewal ($250).
• Driving without insurance ($250).
• Driving without a license, no drivers license or commercial license, expired license, or endorsement violations ($100).
• School Zone Violations- the fines can be pretty steep depending on the ticket but vary based on the courthouse the violation occurred in.

Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Commercial driver’s license holders are responsible for their CDL at all times… even while driving a personal motor vehicle.

If an individual with a CDL receives a conviction for more than one serious traffic offense (the offenses listed below) the individual will have be disqualified from operating any type of motor vehicle for 60 days.

These are common serious traffic violations… Click here for a complete list of serious traffic offenses.

• Excessive speeding
• Reckless Driving
• Improper or Erratic Lane changes
• Following too closely

• For three offenses, the disqualification period lasts for 120 days.
• For alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, or commission of a felony the disqualification period lasts at least one year. For a CDL holder operating a commercial motor vehicle placarded for hazardous materials the suspension period is extended to at least 3 years for the 1st offense and lifetime suspension for the 2nd offense.
• Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony leads to lifetime disqualification.
• Railroad-highway grade crossing violations lead to a disqualification period of 60 days for the 1st offense, 120 days for the 2nd offense, and at least 1 year for the 3rd offense committed within 3 years.
• Occupational Driver’s Licenses- an occupational license authorizes the operation of a non-commercial motor vehicle in connection with an individual’s work, school, or essential household duties. For more information visit: Texas Department of Public Safety
• Traffic Trials & Appeals- visit the San Antonio Municipal Court for information about a trial, cross examination, presenting your case, and appeal.

We can help you fight your case!
No ticket is too small for us to tackle. Contact us for help with any of the following.

• Drivers License & License Plate Violations
• Inspection & Registration
• Insurance Violations- Texas law requires every driver to have minimum liability insurance coverage. Some of the consequences include but are not limited to the initial cost of the ticket, surcharges paid annually for three years, motor vehicle impound, and suspension of driver’s license.

Visit our frequently asked questions at FAQ for more information.

Traffic Warrants

• Failure to Appear Citations - failure to appear may be an additional criminal offense and result in a warrant being issued for your arrest. If you are reported to the Omnibase for failure to appear/failure to pay, then you will not be able to renew your license until the violation is resolved. To view your record visit: http://www.texasfailuretoappear.com/search.php
• The driver license may not be renewed until the individual’s driver record is cleared of all offenses reported to DPS by the court. Individuals must contact the court directly to:
  • Confirm the amount of the fines, costs, and fees owed
  • Verify a court appearance is not required
  • Request a trial to contest the charges or establish payment.
• If a violation has been reported to DPS by more than one court then the individual must contact each reporting court.
• Municipal & JP Warrants- a warrant for arrest can be issued for many reasons; for instance, if you do not appear for your court date, do not pay a fine assessed by a judge, do not complete the driver safety course requirements ordered by the court, default on payment arrangements, etc.
  • If you have a warrant, you will be ineligible to renew you driver’s license.
• Attorney Bonds
• Denial of Renewal of Texas Driver’s License- a driver’s license can be suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified for unpaid traffic citations/failure to appear, unpaid surcharges, incomplete driver’s license compliance and reinstatement requirements.

MIC/MIP

Minor in Consumption - a minor commits an offense if he/she consumes an alcoholic beverage. The consequences can include a fine $250-$2000, confinement in jail no longer than 180 days, or both the fine and confinement.
Minor in Possession - a minor commits an offense if he/she possesses an alcoholic beverage. The consequences can include a fine $250-$2000, confinement in jail no longer than 180 days, or both the fine and confinement.

Open Container

A person commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway, regardless of whether the vehicle is being operated or is stopped or parked. An open container means a bottle, can, or other receptacle that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage and that is open, that has been opened, that has a broken seal, or the contents of which are partially removed.

Assault

There are many different types of assault charges and ways to accumulate an assault charge. Assault charges in Texas can range from a simple threat or argument, a fistfight or brawl, or a violent attack with a dangerous weapon. Acts of Assault

An act of assault can be one of three things:
• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person.
• Intentionally or knowingly threatening someone with bodily injury.
• Intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact in a manner considered offensive or provocative.

For more information visit: Penal Code

Truancy

Any absences must be excused by their school, and excessive unexcused absences could result in charges being brought against you as a parent and/or your child.

• Parents or guardians will be summoned to appear before a justice of the peace or municipal-court judge. You must bring the named child if the summons directs you to do so. If a parent receives a summons and doesn’t appear with the named child, the parent and the child could each be charged with another Class C misdemeanor for Failure to Appear.




Drivers License Issues

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