Newark Criminal Defense Lawyer

Newark is a city located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city of Fremont surrounds Newark. Together with Fremont and Union City, Newark is part of the Tri-City area. Like other cities in Alameda County, Newark takes traffic and speeding violations very seriously. A knowledgeable East Bay criminal defense attorney Leon J. Mezzetti, Jr. can help you fight any traffic charges you may face, working to prevent license suspensions and other serious long-term ramifications.

If you are charged with a traffic violation, you may simply pay the ticket to avoid prolonging the experience. However, traffic tickets can impact your insurance premiums and place points on your driver's license. If you get two points in a single year, insurers raise your rates. Four points in 12 months can lead to a negligent operator suspension.

What is a Negligent Operator Hearing?

In California if you accumulate points on your driving record and are determined to be a "negligent operator," your driver's license may be suspended or revoked. Points may be accumulated for speeding, failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, turning without signaling, running a red light, a DUI, a hit and run, or driving on a suspended license.

Many people in Newark need their cars to get to work, take the kids to school or go to school themselves, and buy groceries. It is extremely difficult to get by without the ability to drive. Therefore, it is in your best interest to fight traffic tickets or, if you haven't challenged traffic tickets and are deemed a negligent operator, to retain an experienced attorney to represent you at a negligent operator hearing.

You may have avoided retaining an attorney assuming that traffic tickets are too hard to fight. However, there are defenses available for tickets or a negligent operator license suspension. Among these are arguments that you weren't responsible for an accident that resulted in a point on your record, as well as arguments showing mitigating circumstances.

Proving mitigating circumstances may include explaining that you drive more than the average driver or under more difficult conditions, showing that you're enrolled in a driver safety program or taking other steps to rectify your driving practices, demonstrating that you have no alcohol-related offenses, or arguing that your reported violations weren't severe and you otherwise have a good driving history.

Contact a Newark Criminal Defense Attorney Today

A single traffic ticket may not seem too worrisome, but the accumulation of points on your driving record can have serious consequences. A negligent operator suspension can adversely affect the quality of your life, and if you drive on a suspended license, the penalties can be quite severe if you are caught. Therefore, it is important to challenge tickets or traffic-related arrests as vigorously as possible from the beginning. You should not answer questions without counsel from an established attorney. For a thorough, knowledgeable defense from an experienced Newark traffic offense lawyer, Leon J. Mezzetti, Jr., contact us toll-free at 877-791-1836 or via our online form.