Careless and Imprudent Driving

Careless and Imprudent Driving

WHEN YOUR TRAFFIC TICKET IS MORE SERIOUS THAN SPEEDING

Most Missouri drivers know that their ability to maintain or renew a driver’s license depends on keeping their driving record free of points violations, with different kinds of traffic tickets counting against your record with various numbers of points. For example, a speeding ticket normally counts as 2 or 3 points, while a DWI conviction counts as 8 points. When you get 8 points against your license in any 18-month period, you’re subject to suspension by the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Careless and imprudent driving is a 4-point offense under Missouri law. If you have one or two other recent moving violations on your record, a conviction of careless and imprudent driving could likely put you into suspension territory. If it’s your first suspension, it’s 30 days. If you have been suspended before for too many points, your suspension this time around could be 60 days, 90 days or even a year, depending on the number of prior suspensions and the number of points that count against your license in the past 12-month period.

BRIDGETON, MO LICENSE SUSPENSION DEFENSE LAWYERS: CALL 636-947-3600

At the law firm of Law Office of Kenneth P. Carp, our attorneys advise Missouri drivers about the best way to resolve traffic tickets for careless and imprudent driving in St. Louis City and County and other communities in the Greater St. Louis area, including St. Charles County, Jefferson County and Lincoln County. Contact us in Bridgeton MO to learn about your traffic tickets defense options.

Don’t pay the ticket until you have talked to an experienced lawyer. Mailing in the fine or paying through a local fine collection center is just the same as pleading guilty in court. The points will go on your record and could result in an automatic suspension of your license that you don’t even know about. Call 636-947-3600 to discuss your options with an attorney who understands the points system.

Ignoring the ticket also exposes you to serious risks, including the issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest. If you’re later picked up on another charge, you could get end up in jail while your bond request is pending. If you have warrants outstanding in another municipality, you might get released from one jail only to get transferred to another.

Our defense attorneys can explain the full range of your options for dealing with serious traffic tickets such as careless or imprudent driving, driving after suspension or revocation, or other multi-point charges. Some traffic tickets are amendable offenses, which mean that it might be possible to negotiate a plea to a no-points offense or one with fewer points.

WE CAN PRESENT YOUR DEFENSE IN COURT WHEN NECESSARY TO PROTECT YOUR LICENSE

Our lawyers can also defend you in court against the charges. In some cases, we can show that the arresting officer had no real opportunity to observe your behavior behind the wheel, so that the evidence of careless and imprudent driving will not be strong enough to support a conviction.

We offer free consultations in traffic tickets defense throughout the metro area. To learn more about your options for resolving the most serious traffic tickets in Greater St. Louis, contact Law Office of Kenneth P. Carp, in Bridgeton MO.