Traffic Offenses are heard at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal located at 670 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. In some cases, traffic offenses may be heard in the municipal court of the city or town where the alleged offense occurred.
Traffic offenses in Rhode Island add up, and not just in terms of the financial impact. Each traffic violation is included on your driving record, which can lead to driver's license suspension, hefty fines, court ordered driver retraining, among other consequences. Plus, some traffic violations are criminal offenses, for example reckless driving or leaving the scene of an accident. If you ignore or do not fight traffic violations with criminal consequences, you could end up with a criminal record. For someone with a clean history, you do not want to make this mistake. All the same, for someone with a driving or criminal record, you do not want to add to it.
Melissa Larsen, Esq. will help you with either a civil violation or criminal traffic offense. She knows and has seen how these seemingly inoffensive violations can cause real problems for people. To make sure you minimize or avoid the consequences of a traffic ticket today, call 401-218-0862 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Traffic Offenses in Rhode Island
Traffic offenses involve a motorist's unlawful conduct while they are in control or operating a vehicle. Also referred to as traffic violations, these offenses are prosecuted at the state or local level.
There is often a distinction made between traffic offenses committed while a vehicle is moving and while it's stationary. Moving traffic violations include speeding and running a red light and will affect your insurance rates. Some examples of non-moving traffic violations include illegal parking and displaying expired plates.
The term traffic offense describes a wide range of conduct from minor infractions to more serious crimes.
Civil Traffic Violations
Traffic infractions in Rhode Island are minor traffic offenses. If you commit a traffic infraction, you're usually issued a summons or ticket. Typically, you have the option to pay the fee or dispute the ticket by attending a hearing on a designated day at traffic court.
The penalties for a traffic infraction include fines, attending driver retraining or possibly community service. Moving violations will impact the cost of car insurance (by increasing your rates) and eventually can result in a license suspension.
Common examples of traffic infractions include:
- Speeding (under a certain limit)
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Failing to stop or signal
- Following too close to another vehicle
- Failing to wear a seatbelt
- Disobeying a road sign
- Driving uninsured
- Parking illegally
- Lane roadway violations
- Illegal tint on windshield
- Driving with an expired registration
- Driving without proof of insurance
- Use of emergency breakdown lane for travel
The majority of traffic infractions are strict liability offenses – the prosecution does not need to prove any criminal intent, only that the violation occurred. This means you are liable even if you did not know, for example, that the place where you parked was a no-parking zone or did not realize you were driving over the speed limit.
Criminal Traffic Offenses
Traffic crimes are more serious than infractions. They can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the relevant laws and circumstances. For example, you may be charged with a felony if you have any prior traffic offenses or if the conduct resulted in injury or death.
Criminal offenses are heard in the District (misdemeanors) or Superior Court (felonies.)
Some common examples of traffic crimes often charged as a misdemeanor include:
- reckless driving
- leaving the scene of an accident
- driving with a suspended or revoked license
- operating a vehicle while under the influence (DUI) of a chemical substance
- failure to submit to a chemical test (2nd offense or greater)
Examples of traffic offenses usually charged as a felony include:
- driving to endanger, death resulting
- 3rd (or greater) offense DUI
- vehicular homicide
Potential penalties for traffic crimes include but are not limited to jail, suspended sentence, probation, license suspension, fines and community service. You're more likely to receive time to serve if you are charged with a felony or you have a record of multiple traffic violations.
Three Reasons to Fight Traffic Offenses
Whether a traffic offense is minor or major, civil or criminal, you want to fight it. Here are three good reasons why that's the case.
- Clean driving record. If you pay the fine, plead guilty, or ignore a traffic offense, you will lose the privilege of having a clean driving record or you will add to an already-existing driving record. The infractions you accrue, more likely you are to having your license suspended.
- Limited evidence. If you fight a ticket, even a civil infraction, the officer must appear in court and show evidence to prove you committed the offense. Many times officers do not show up or they do not have the necessary evidence to show you were speeding or otherwise violated a law while operating a vehicle. If the officer does not appear in court, the ticket will most likely be dismissed.
- Increase options. To pay a traffic ticket is the same as declaring guilt. If you request a hearing, however, you have more options to plead to a lesser offense or may be able to get the ticket or criminal charge dismissed.
Contact a Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney in Rhode Island Today
The law around driving offenses can be technical and is also constantly evolving. Especially if you're considering challenging the allegations, it pays to speak with an experienced RI traffic defense lawyer who will review your case and explain your options.
For many people, the ability to drive is essential to their daily life. While the majority of traffic violations result in a fine, if you are charged with a serious traffic violation, you may be at risk of imprisonment and losing your license. Call Melissa Larsen, Esq. at 401-218-0862 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with an attorney today.