Traffic Violations Defense Attorney in Council Bluffs, Iowa

If you operate a motor vehicle or other automobiles in Iowa, you're expected to obey all traffic rules and regulations. A traffic violation occurs when a motorist commits a traffic-related offense or breaks a traffic law. Common traffic violations in Iowa include drunk driving, speeding, running a stop sign, or driving without a valid license. Unfortunately, a driving violation conviction may result in license suspension, huge fines, demerit points, increased insurance premiums, and other serious penalties. 

If you have received a traffic ticket for a moving or non-moving violation in your area, retaining a seasoned Iowa criminal defense attorney is imperative to protect your driving privileges. At Jay W. Mez, Attorney At Law, I have the diligence and skills to protect and represent clients in their driving violations. Using my extensive knowledge, I can investigate your case details, outline a solid strategy to fight your charges, and help keep your driving record as clean as possible. 

My firm – Jay W. Mez, Attorney At Law – proudly serves clients across Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the surrounding areas of Montgomery, Pottawattamie, Fremont, Cass, Shelby, Page, and Mills counties. 

What Is a Traffic Violation?

A traffic violation is any act or conduct that violates the laws, rules, and regulations guiding the operation of motor vehicles on highways and roadways. In Iowa, traffic violations may be categorized into moving and non-moving violations. 

Moving Violations

A moving violation is a traffic violation that occurs when a vehicle is in motion. Some common examples of moving violations include: 

• Speeding 

• Improper lane changes 

• Failure to maintain a single lane 

• Hit-and-run accidents 

• Driving while under the influence (DUI) 

• Driving with a suspended or expired driver's license. 

• Reckless driving 

• Failure to yield the right of way 

• Running a red light or stop sign 

• Driving without the required car insurance policy 

Non-Moving Violations

In contrast, a non-moving violation is a traffic violation that occurs when the car is stationary – not in motion. Common examples of non-moving violations are as follows: 

• Broken or missing mirrors 

• Parking at an expired parking meter 

• Improper or illegal parking 

• No license plate 

• Failure to display a fuel license/permit 

• Parking near a fire hydrant 

• Expired motor vehicle plates 

• Parking in a no-parking zone 

• A broken headlight or taillight 

• Parking in front of a driveway 

• Driving without the required documentation or legal paperwork. 

If you or someone you know has recently received a traffic ticket, you need to reach out to a strategic criminal defense attorney immediately. Your legal counsel can investigate the nature of your traffic violation, determine the demerit points, and help contest the ticket. 

Understanding the DMV Point System

In the state of Iowa, demerit points are often awarded for each traffic violation. A motorist may receive 2 points for minor traffic violations and up to 6 points for major traffic violations. Here are some common traffic violations and their respective points, according to the Iowa DMV point system: 

• Driving with a suspended, denied, or revoked license: 2 points 

• Driving with a barred license: 4 points 

• Causing severe injury in a car accident: 5 points 

• Eluding a law enforcement officer: 5 points 

• Driving with a BAC of at least 0.08%: 4 points 

• Driving with a revoked license for a drug or alcohol-related offense: 3 points 

• Leaving an accident scene: 5 points 

• Vehicular manslaughter: 6 points 

A knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand the Iowa DMV point system and the fines and penalties for each traffic offense. 

Traffic Violation Fines and Penalties

Additionally, the Iowa DMV may suspend or revoke your driver's license if you commit: 

• Three (3) or more moving violations in 1 year 

• Six (6) or more moving violations in 2 years. 

However, the length of the driver's license suspension will depend on the demerit points you receive on your driving record. For example: 

• 6 to 7 points – 2 years suspension 

• 8 to 9 points – 3 years suspension 

• 10 to 12 points – 4 years suspension 

• 10 to 15 points – 5 years suspension 

• 16 or more points – 6 years suspension 

Essentially, having more point values on your driving record will lead to additional fines and penalties, as well as increased auto insurance premiums. Therefore, it is imperative that you retain a highly-skilled Iowa traffic violations defense attorney to help fight the traffic violation and keep your driving record clean. 

Fighting a Traffic Violation

Your attorney can fight your traffic violation using any of the following legal defenses: 

• Refute the evidence against you. 

• Challenge the police officer's judgment call. 

• Refute the officer's account of what occurred. 

• Show that your actions were legally justified. 

• Prove that your actions were required to mitigate or avoid possible harm or danger. 

• Establish that it was a mistake of fact. 

A highly-experienced lawyer can do this by assessing your case details and crafting an effective legal strategy to help contest your Iowa traffic ticket. 

How Legal Counsel Can Help

Navigating the traffic court system without experienced representation and guidance is never advisable and may expose you to the risks of getting convicted. Unfortunately, a conviction for a traffic violation may jeopardize your personal reputation, liberty, driving privileges, and career opportunities. Therefore, if you have received a ticket for traffic violations, it is paramount that you hire a strategic criminal defense attorney for proper guidance and to help build your defense. 

At Jay W. Mez, Attorney At Law, I have devoted my career to protecting individuals arrested for traffic violations from the worst-case scenario. As your legal counsel, I can evaluate all of the facts of your case and dispute the accusations against you with factual evidence. Also, I will fight diligently to uphold your driving privileges and attempt to pursue the most favorable outcome for your specific circumstances.