If you are cited in Massachusetts, you need to make the decision to appeal within 20 days of receiving the citation. How do you decide what the best decision is?

Fighting a Junior Operator (JOL) Citation in Massachusetts can be a necessary evil. If you pay the ticket, the junior operator will receive a lengthy suspension, a hefty fee, driver retraining, and will have to retake the license exam. But appealing the ticket is not a guarantee that those penalties will be avoided. It is important for a Junior Operator to put their best foot forward to try to keep the consequences at bay.

In Massachusetts, A License Suspension can occur for a number of reasons. In order to determine how to clear the suspension, you must know why your license is suspended in the first place.

Before paying or resolving a traffic citation, it is a great idea to consult with local counsel to determine the impact of a ticket on your driving history.   In the course of my practice this week, I have spoken to two different individuals in the same predicament.  Both were driving through Virginia earlier this year and given a citation for speeding 81/70 mph zone.  Under Virginia Law, speeding is considered CRIMINAL RECKLESS DRIVING if the speed is more than 20 miles over the posted limit...

M.G.L. 90C Section 2 states in relevant part: "A failure to give a copy of the citation to the violator at the time and place of the violation shall constitute a defense in any court proceeding for such violation, except where the violator could not have been stopped..."

In Massachusetts, almost all moving violations are characterized as "surchargeable events." With a moving violation, if it is surchargeable, your insurance company has the right to surcharge your insurance. What that amounts to is an increase of approximately 10% of your premium per year for 3 to 6 years.

A common question that arises with Massachusetts tickets is whether it is too late to fight the ticket.  Here is a breakdown of when you still have an opportunity to do so, and when it is too late.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles has discretion to suspend your license as an immediate threat if it is deemed you are a danger on the road. An attorney can help you navigate the process of reinstating your license with an immediate threat suspension.

If you do not attend a criminal proceeding, Massachusetts Courts will issue a warrant for your arrest.

In Massachusetts, the state and local police are out in full force during the summer months handing out speeding tickets and other traffic violations.