Typically when a Wisconsin driver receives a traffic ticket, they do not challenge the ticket, but instead pay the fine to avoid increased fines, a suspended license, or even arrest and jail time. Most drivers do not consider that by paying a traffic ticket, they are pleading guilty to the charges assigned in the traffic ticket and accumulating points against their driver’s license that could lead to the suspension of driving privileges and costly insurance rates.
Wisconsin Traffic Violation Point System
Wisconsin uses a point system to add demerits to a driver’s license when a driver engages in wrongful driving behavior from running a stop sign to speeding. When a driver accumulates 12 points in a 12 month period he or she may have their license suspended. This means they cannot legally use their license to drive for a defined period of time – typically anywhere from two months to a year depending on the circumstances.
Looking over the points one can accumulate, 12 points in a 12 month period may be easier to rack up than one might guess. For those who use their phone behind the wheel or have young children in the car, inattentive driving assigns 4 points. Following the car in front of you too closely because you’re running late? 3 points Deviating from a traffic lane ever so briefly or just a tad over the line? 4 points No turn signal? 3 points Didn’t get around to fixing that broken tail light? Another 3 points. Sound like a day in the life of your teenager? Definitely, but anyone can make mistakes while driving. Accumulating 12 points in a 12 month period is not really all that hard when considering that a single traffic stop can result in multiple citations.
So You Have 12 Points – Now What?
If you have a probationary driver license, instruction permit or have never been issued a license:
12-30 points assessed – 6 month suspension
More than 30 points assessed – 1 year suspension
If you have a regular driver license including a commercial driver license (CDL):
12-16 points assessed – 2 month suspension
17-22 points assessed – 4 month suspension
23-30 points assessed – 6 month suspension
More than 30 points assessed – 1 year suspension
Many who have accumulated too many points on their license will have their license suspended, which is a temporary removal of driving privileges. A license revocation, on the other hand, may translate into a permanent or long term loss of driving privileges for especially egregious offenses such as OWI related traffic offenses. One way of looking at the difference between a suspension and revocation is that driving on a suspended license typically results in a driver going to civil court where they might expect to pay more fines and have their suspension extended whereas driving on a revoked license can result in criminal penalties. Suspended and revoked licenses entail different procedures to have driving privileges reinstated when the period of suspension or revocation ends or when a driver seeks permission to drive while suspended or revoked on a restricted basis such as to and from work or school. If you have had your license suspended or revoked, work with an experienced attorney for help.
Car Insurance Rate Increases
Expensive ticket fines, the addition of points to your license and the possibility of having your license suspended are bad enough, but few consider that points can also count against you when trying to qualify or keep reduced car insurance rates. Sometimes drivers can take a certified defensive driving course to reduce points, but the place to start is with a traffic attorney who may be able to have the ticket dismissed or reduced before a conviction resulting in reduced fines, fewer points, and lower insurance rates. If you have received a driving citation and were driving under the influence - Wisconsin OWI - it is critical to work with an experienced DUI lawyer who will aggressively fight to dismiss or reduce OWI charges that you face and seek a reduction to any additional traffic citations received as part of the stop.
Too Many Points on Your Drivers License?
Contact a Waukesha Traffic Violations Lawyer For Help
If you have been ticketed for a traffic violation such as speeding or are facing more serious charges of Wisconsin OWI, it is important to seek help. Contact Waukesha criminal defense lawyer Andrew C Ladd for help today at 262-542-3900.
