When you are faced with a traffic ticket, working closely with an attorney who will explain clearly all rights, options, and consequences can help to ensure that you make decision that are in your best interests. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Traffic Defense Lawyers - Chatham, New York
At the Law Offices of James E. Kleinbaum, we provide a vigorous defense against all traffic violations, including:
- Speeding tickets
- DWI/DWAI
- Driving after suspension
- Driving without proof of insurance
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Failure to yield for a school bus
- Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
If you have received a ticket or have been charged with a misdemeanor traffic crime, contact our law office in Chatham, New York. You may call us toll free at 888-SPEEDTX.
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If you need a vigorous defense to a traffic ticket, contact the Law Offices of James E. Kleinbaum. We represent clients statewide throughout New York, including Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Rensselaer, and Albany counties.
Attorney James E. Kleinbaum has more than 15 years of legal experience. He has defended thousands of clients facing traffic tickets and hundreds of clients who have been charged with DWI/DWAI.
Speeding Laws
Ordinarily speeding tickets are offenses or infractions rather than crimes, but it is not uncommon for speeding tickets to be treated as misdemeanors. If you received a speeding ticket, contact Law Offices of James E. Kleinbaum in Chatham to schedule a meeting with an attorney who can explain how the speed laws operate in New York.
Although the basis for a speed law violation will vary from state to state, the following discussion describes typical provisions related to speed.
Basic Speed Rule
A basic speed rule or basic speed law typically provides that "no person shall drive a vehicle greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing." Uniform Vehicle Code §11-801. Laws of this kind operate independently of other traffic laws, including laws prescribing a maximum speed. For example, although the maximum speed in a particular area is 55 MPH, a driver might be issued a speeding ticket for driving 55 MPH if doing so is unreasonable because of weather, road, or traffic conditions.
Statutory Speed Limit
Laws establishing maximum speeds for roads in particular areas are called statutory seed limits. For example, a statutory speed limit may set a maximum speed of 35 MPH in urban districts a maximum speed of 55 MPH in all other locations. Uniform Vehicle Code §11-802. The statutory speed limit generally applies unless a posted speed limit designates a different speed.
Minimum Speed Rule
A minimum speed rule or minimum speed law typically provides that "no person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic." Uniform Vehicle Code §11-805(a). Additionally, a minimum speed rule might require drivers who are driving at less than the normal speed of traffic to drive in the right-hand lane. Uniform Vehicle Code §11-301(b)
Posted Maximum and Minimum Speed Limits
State or local governments may increase the statutory speed limits, decrease the statutory speed limits, or set minimum speed limits on roads under their jurisdiction.
In general, states may also establish different highway speed limits for different types of vehicles, at different times of the day, for various weather conditions, or for other factors bearing on safe speeds. Uniform Vehicle Code §11-803. For example, posted speed limits that designate a speed different than the speed provided by the statutory speed law are frequently found on state highways, on residential streets, in school zones, and in business districts. Posted speed limits that vary from the statutory speed limit are also used to designated maximum speeds at certain times (when children are present or certain times of day, for example), at particular places (sharp curves, entry ramps and exit ramps), or for particular vehicles (trucks over a minimum weight). Posted speed limits are presumed to be safe and some states require speeding to continue for a certain distance before it becomes a violation.
Conclusion
The basis for speed law violations and the associated penalties vary from state to state. As such, it is important to work with an attorney who is knowledgeable of the speed laws in your jurisdiction. If you received a traffic ticket, contact Law Offices of James E. Kleinbaum in Chatham to schedule a consultation with an attorney who can explain how the speed laws operate in New York.
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