Serving the State of West Virginia
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CHOOSE A LAWYER LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.
West Virginia Traffic Penalties
How to Handle a West Virginia Traffic Ticket
Understanding Your Options
When you receive a traffic ticket in West Virginia, it is highly important to fully comprehend your available options for taking care of it. Navigating the legal system can be confusing, but knowing your rights and responsibilities is the first step. Here is a detailed breakdown of exactly what you can do to manage your citation and move forward.
Ways to Pay Your Traffic Ticket Fines
- Online: A large number of fines can be easily paid through the official state online payment system, which offers a fast and highly convenient option for drivers.
- By Mail: You are allowed to send your payment via the postal service. Simply follow the exact mailing instructions printed on the back of your ticket.
- By Phone: Certain jurisdictions provide telephone payment services. You should check your physical ticket for specific contact information regarding this method.
- In Person: You may visit the Hancock County courthouse or a designated municipal office to pay your required fine directly to the clerk. Consulting a Weirton criminal lawyer can also help you understand if paying is your best choice.
Fighting or Reducing Your Fine
- Contest the Ticket: If you firmly believe you were wrongfully cited by law enforcement, you have the absolute right to dispute the traffic ticket in a court of law.
- Request Fine Reduction: You may contact the local court to inquire about the potential possibility of lowering your total fine amount. A knowledgeable Weirton DUI attorney can often assist in negotiating these reductions.
The Importance of Timely Response
- Avoid Additional Penalties: Completely ignoring your traffic ticket can rapidly lead to massively increased fines, bench warrants, or even a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
- State Law Compliance: Ensure that all responsive actions taken are in strict accordance with the West Virginia Code (formerly referenced as similar to the Ohio Revised Code), which officially governs traffic violations and all associated penalties.
Responding promptly and thoroughly understanding these options can ultimately help you manage your traffic ticket effectively and avoid further severe complications. Speaking with a Weirton criminal lawyer ensures you meet all necessary deadlines.
Fines & Penalties
Traffic Violations in West Virginia
When actively dealing with traffic tickets in West Virginia, it is incredibly important to understand that the specific fines can vastly differ depending on the specific Hancock County court or municipal judge handling your unique case. Here is what you need to know:
Payment Deadlines and Additional Charges
- Timely Payment: Always make sure to pay your traffic fines by the clearly specified deadline to actively avoid any extra financial charges.
- Late Fees: If you unfortunately miss the required payment deadline, additional late fees and penalties will automatically be applied to your base fine amount. If this happens, reaching out to a Weirton DUI attorney might help mitigate the damage.
Traffic Ticket Details
- Ticket Amount: Carefully check your traffic ticket for the exact dollar amount you are required to pay.
- Deadlines: Be highly aware of the specific payment due dates clearly listed on your citation.
- Penalties: Fully familiarize yourself with any and all additional penalties that may apply if your payment is not officially received on time.
For strict reference to legal specifics, ensure you are deeply informed of the laws applicable to your case. Always consult the fine details provided on your ticket for the most accurate information given by our Weirton criminal lawyer.
Understanding the West Virginia DMV Point System
License Suspension Based on Points
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) heavily utilizes a strict point system to carefully monitor driving behavior across the state. Based on the total points accumulated on your record, your license may be suspended as outlined below. A skilled Weirton criminal lawyer can help you fight to keep points off your record.
| Point Accumulation | Suspension Duration |
| 5 or more | 0 days remaining. A warning letter has been issued. |
| 12 to 13 | 30 days |
| 14 to 15 | 45 days |
| 16 to 17 | 60 days |
| 18 to 19 | 90 days |
| 20+ | The license is suspended until the accumulated points are reduced to 11 or fewer. |
Some major moving violations include:
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol
Points for Traffic Violations
Points resulting from traffic violations stay visibly on a driver’s record for two full years post-conviction, while the actual infraction itself remains on your permanent record for five years. Here are some highly common violations and their strictly corresponding points. If you face these charges, a Weirton DUI attorney can evaluate your defense options.
| Violation | Points |
| Speeding 11-14 mph over the limit | 3 |
| Speeding 15-19 mph over the limit | 5 |
| Speeding 20+ mph over the limit | 6 |
| Speeding in a school zone | 6 |
| 3 or more violations involving wireless communication devices (any combination of talking or texting) | 3 |
| Passing violation | 3 |
| Failure to yield | 3 |
| Failure to obey traffic light | 3 |
| Failure to obey stop sign | 3 |
| Hazardous driving | 3 |
| Driving left of center | 3 |
| Driving too fast for conditions | 3 |
| Failure to maintain control of vehicle | 3 |
| Driving the wrong way on a one-way street | 3 |
| Littering | 3 |
| Improper lane violation | 3 |
| Failure to observe a safety zone | 3 |
| Failure to follow a police officer’s instructions | 3 |
| Driving on the wrong side of the road | 3 |
| Following too closely | 2 |
| More than 3 passengers in the front seat | 2 |
| Improper turning | 2 |
| Improper backing | 2 |
| Improper signal or no signal | 2 |
| Reckless Driving | 6 |
| Careless Driving | 3 |
| Hit & Run | 6 |
| Fleeing from an officer | 2 |
| All other moving violations | 2 |
Defensive Driving Course
Actively participating in an officially approved Defensive Driving Course (DDC) can successfully reduce your total points by three. However, if you already have 14 or more points, simply completing a DDC will not remove the active suspension. If you are currently facing a 30-day suspension with 12-13 points, you can effectively offset it by successfully completing a DDC and paying the required reinstatement fee before your suspension date begins. Approved courses must be taken in person at authorized locations like West Virginia Driver Training and Bluefield AAA.
| Company name | Phone number | Area |
| West Virginia Driver Training | (304) 424-6307 | Locations Offered Statewide |
| Able Driving School | (540) 675-1153 | Martinsburg |
| Bluefield AAA | (304) 327-8187 | Bluefield |
| Charleston AAA | (304) 925-6681 | Charleston |
| B-Safe, Inc. | (304) 641-9045 | Clarksburg |
Defensive Driving Course Guidelines
Eligibility for Point Reduction
Frequency Limit
The official Defensive Driving Course can be completed exclusively for point reduction purposes only once every 12 months.
Online Course Restrictions in West Virginia
According to state traffic laws, online Defensive Driving Courses are strictly not recognized for point reduction within the state of West Virginia.
Moving Violations
A moving violation officially happens when an established traffic law is broken by a moving vehicle. Highly common examples include speeding, intentionally ignoring stop signs or red lights, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In stark contrast, non-moving violations often relate to stationary parking issues or vehicle equipment malfunctions.
Responding to Your Ticket
There are two primary options for officially handling your traffic ticket:
Paying the Fine
Paying a West Virginia traffic ticket legally implies admitting total guilt to the stated offense. Here is what it means for you:
- You are waiving your right to contest: By paying, you actively choose not to challenge the ticket in a court of law.
- Potential license suspension: Depending on your past driving history, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) might suspend your West Virginia driver’s license.
- Insurance impact: The specific violation may easily lead to significantly higher car insurance premiums.
Requesting a Contested Hearing
If you strongly intend to plead “not guilty” to the traffic violation, you can formally request a contested hearing at the relevant Hancock County court. This can be easily done by properly marking the appropriate box on your ticket and safely mailing it back. Interestingly, only about 5% of drivers ever choose to formally contest their traffic tickets. Before doing so, it is wise to consult a Weirton criminal lawyer to build a strong defense.
Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Challenging a traffic ticket can potentially help you completely avoid severe penalties, mandatory license suspensions, and drastically increased insurance rates. A dedicated legal professional can be invaluable, as they typically:
- Request a formal contested hearing strictly on your behalf.
- Seek vital discovery for your case to thoroughly gather all necessary information.
- Represent you in court highly effectively.
- Negotiate with state prosecutors to potentially have charges heavily reduced or completely dismissed.
Engaging legal counsel could be an incredibly important step in effectively managing your complex traffic violation case.
Contact Us
If you find yourself stuck in a highly similar situation, you need experienced help. Hire Sean Logue to serve as your dedicated legal representative. Contact Weirton DUI attorney at Mountaineer Criminal Law Group anytime, day or night, at (304) 832-8350 to take full advantage of our free initial consultations. Do not wait to protect your driving record!