Traffic Violations

Articles Posted in Traffic Violations

When Does A Traffic Violation Become A Misdemeanor?

September 12, 2024

There are many examples of things that could be misdemeanors, but typically they are considered a bit more serious in nature. The court has the authority and discretion to potentially put you in jail for your actions. One common traffic violation is driving while a license is suspended. This ticket is issued because someone failed to pay a speeding ticket, resulting in their license being suspended, and then they were pulled over. Sometimes drivers do not even know that their license was suspended, but that is not a defense in most situations. If you find yourself in a similar situation,...

Posted in: Traffic Violations

Michigan Court Determines Officers’ Interaction with Defendant that Led to Search of Vehicle Was Permitted as a “Welfare Check”

December 14, 2019

by Michigan Defense Law

Last month, a state appellate court issued a written opinion in a gun possession case presenting an issue that frequently arises in many Michigan drug cases, or other possessory offenses. The case required the court to determine if the police officers’ approach of the defendant’s vehicle constituted a seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Finding that the officer’s reason for approaching was not to investigate criminal activity, but to check on the welfare of the defendant, the court rejected the defendants’ motion to suppress. Generally, police officers need a warrant to conduct a search or seizure. However,...

Posted in: Search and Seizure, Traffic Violations

Michigan Eliminates Driver Responsibility Fees

May 15, 2018

by Michigan Defense Law

Recently, the Michigan legislature recently passed an amendment repealing the Driver Responsibility Fee program. The program, enacted in 2003, required drivers guilty of certain traffic offenses to pay annual fees. These fees, which ranged from $100 to $500 per year as well as the $125 driver’s license reinstatement fee, will no longer be collected by the Michigan Department of the Treasury. Some drivers must continue to make payments, though. Currently, Michigan drivers who entered Driver Responsibility Fee payment plans on or before February 1, 2018 are no longer required to make payments. Their payment plans are terminated. Drivers in this...

Posted in: License Restoration, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Traffic Violations

Tagged: Criminal Defense Attorney, Traffic Defense Lawyer

What Are The Common Traffic Violations Committed In Michigan?

April 15, 2017

by Michigan Defense Law

Some of the most common traffic violations would be speeding tickets, stop sign violations, running a red light, careless driving, reckless driving, and improper lane changes. There is also another one that is not as common, but just as serious, and that is failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. That can be a misdemeanor in some circumstances in our state. How Long Does Someone Have To File For A Traffic Violation Hearing? People usually have between ten to fourteen days to make a response to the court that you are either accepting responsibility or that you are going to...

Posted in: Traffic Violations

Does Having A Bad Driving Record Seal Someone’s Fate?

December 29, 2015

by Michigan Defense Law

Say you have a bad driving record with all of these charges, and you have a conviction for drag racing and one for careless driving and now you are charged with reckless driving. You are going to have a hard time convincing the prosecutor and the judge that you are a really good driver and that you deserve a break and some leniency. So the worse your record looks, the more danger you are going to be in when you are in court. The judge and the prosecutor look at their job as protecting the public, and if they see...

Posted in: Motor Vehicle Offenses, Traffic Violations