When facing traffic ticket charges, there are several items of mitigation evidence that can be used to improve your outcome in court. Before your court date arrives, we want to make sure we have completed and gathered all evidence necessary for a strong defense. During the consultation, we will determine what items or tasks you will need to improve your case outcome. We will ensure you have an understanding of the mitigation evidence that is most likely benefit your unique situation.
What is Mitigation Evidence?
Mitigation evidence is provided (usually by the defendant in a criminal trial) in order to establish the presence of mitigating circumstances. The presence of mitigating circumstances can reduce the punishment imposed. When considering a reckless driving case, the court will first inquire as to the details underlying the allegations. For speed related cases, that inquiry will usually revolve around the alleged speed. Additionally, the court will seek information about your interaction with the officer. For accident cases, the court will inquire as to the details that led to the accident occurring in addition to demeanor issues with the officer.
Types of Mitigation Evidence
Any of these circumstances, the best piece of evidence would be a clean driving record. Courts are typically going to be much more lenient and willing to work with an individual with a clean driving record. However, even with a few blemishes on your record, a proper understanding of mitigation evidence can lead to a successful result.
Speedometer Calibration
The next best piece of mitigation evidence is a favorable speedometer calibration. A calibration indicating your speedometer was reading a couple mph slower than you were traveling will certainly strengthen your case. A favorable calibration will allow us to be in a better starting position in front of the court. This can lead to a better outcome than we would otherwise expect.
Driving School
Another strong piece of mitigation evidence is driving school. There are two primary varieties of driving school accepted in Virginia courts. The first is a typical 8-hour course that we use for cases without too many complications. For higher speed situations or more complex circumstances we may request the completion of the 12-hour reckless/aggressive driving school. In some cases, these courses will be required for a reduction. We use these courses as a tool to convince the court to provide a better result.
When Do I Need Mitigation Evidence?
Mattox Law has other options for providing mitigation evidence. These options can ensure that we are presenting the best case and able to obtain the best possible outcome. In some cases, mitigation evidence may have little to no effect at all. Understanding which items to use for your case can only be accurately done through legal representation. Our team is ready to understand your case and work to achieve a positive outcome.
For quality representation with your traffic ticket case, contact Mattox Law.