Is Speeding A Crime?

Most of us, at one time or another, have been pulled over for speeding. We may not often think about it this way, but speeding tickets are in fact a crime. Usually, they are no big deal and don’t end up affecting one’s life in any meaningful way but depending on the severity speeding and one’s prior record, being charged with speeding could have major impacts on one’s life. 



The simple answer to this question is yes. However, there are different levels of criminality depending on how fast you were driving. This charge could be a simple infraction, a misdemeanor or a felony. Often, these charges carry penalties that are far beyond what you might imagine. Typically, no one serves jail time for speeding, but there are exceptions to that which vary by individual case. In Missouri, speeding 20 mph or less over the posted limit is considered a Class C Misdemeanor. If the person exceeds 20mph over the posted limit, it is considered a Class B Misdemeanor. Class C Misdemeanor can be punished by up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $750. Class B Misdemeanors are much more serious and can be punished with jail time of up to 6 months and a fine up to $1,000. There can also be aggravating factors, such as a person being killed or injured as a result of speeding, which could carry even more serious charges.



Rarely does anyone charged with speeding get sentenced to any jail time and the fines are typically much lower than the maximum range, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. If a person has an extensive record of traffic violations or there are aggravating factors, these punishments are possible. If you hire an attorney, that is your best chance at avoiding these serious consequences. Depending on the prosecutor, your driving record, and the specific circumstances from which the ticket was issued, an attorney can often not only ensure your punishment doesn’t reach the maximum but can also reduce the charge as well. Because points stay on your license in the State of Missouri for 18 months, it is important to consider your driving history when deciding whether to hire a lawyer. If you already have points on your license, it is almost always in your best interest to hire an attorney. Besides the possible increases to your insurance rates or even a revocation of your license, you don’t want to roll the dice when it comes to possible punishments issued by the court. 

If you decide to hire an attorney to help you with your traffic ticket, the process is typically easy for the client. At Finder Law, LLC, we require payment of fees (which depends on the county or municipality the ticket was issued in) and a copy of your traffic ticket. Once we receive that, we will file our entry on the case and begin communicating with the prosecutor to see if they will amend the charge. If they refuse to amend or their offer is not satisfactory, we can proceed to trial. While a trial gives the judge all the control for the outcome, sometimes it may be the best option for the client. Our attorney, Daniel Finder, has done numerous traffic trials and has extensive experience litigating these types of cases.

Call our office today for a quote and let our experienced attorney fight for you!