Can I Go To Jail for a Speeding Ticket?

If you used to think a speeding ticket was just a fine to pay, you might be surprised. After getting a speeding ticket, many people assume that you pay the ticket and move on with life.

But when you pay the fines in an attempt to resolve the matter quickly, you are pleading guilty under the law. This can have serious consequences that you might not have been prepared for. This can even include jail time under the worst circumstances.

Speeding Penalties in Michigan

When you first got your ticket, you probably noticed a listed fine. You assume that you pay the fine and move on. However, there are other penalties you need to be aware of if you decide to pay your speeding ticket.

First, let’s take a closer look at what your fine could be. Under the law, the amount of your ticket will be based on how many miles per hour you were driving over the speed limit. Even driving as few as five mph over the speed limit can result in a $90 fine. Go 15 over the limit, and you’re looking at a $120 fine. Anything over 26 mph over the limit will result in a $155 fine.

But fines are not the only consequence. You also have to worry about your license. When you pay a speeding ticket, you will get points added to your driving record. The number of points is based on how many mph you were driving over the speed limit. You might get two points for driving 10 mph or less over the speed limit. But four for driving 15 mph or more over the limit.

Why Points on Your License Matter

The points matter because your driving record impacts your insurance premiums. The more points on your license, the higher you will pay. So, in addition to paying that fine, you will also be stuck with higher insurance rates for the next two years.

In addition, when you get too many points (12+), the state can order that your driving record be reviewed. This is when they have the power to suspend your license.

There are even some instances in which you could be sent to jail for speeding.

When Can I Go To Jail for Speeding?

A speeding ticket won’t automatically send you to jail. But the police can cite you for reckless driving. In these cases, your driving can be a misdemeanor or felony criminal charge. If convicted, you could spend time behind bars for speeding.

If you have been accused of driving 25 mph or more over the speed limit, you risk being charged with reckless driving. Misdemeanor reckless driving penalties include:

• Fines of up to $500
• License suspension
• Probation
• Up to 93 days in jail
• Community service

Felony reckless driving is a more serious charge. You could face these charges if the prosecutor can show that you were intentionally reckless. Penalties for felony reckless driving include:

• License suspension
• Probation
• Driver retraining
• Up to two years in prison
• Community service
• Fines up to $2,000

Defending Your Michigan Speeding Ticket

Any number of potential speeding ticket defenses could work for your case.

There are usually two different ways to approach cases like these. You can contest that you were speeding. Or try to justify your reason for speeding.

If you contest that you were speeding, we may need to introduce evidence that the police speed measuring equipment was faulty, used incorrectly, or provided invalid results. You can also question police officer perception of how fast you might have been going.

But if you are justifying speeding, that is different. We can provide evidence to support your reasons for speeding. Maybe you were speeding on your way to driving someone to the hospital in a medical emergency, for example. Providing the court with these medical records can support your case.

After reviewing the details of your speeding ticket, your lawyer will have a better idea of how to best approach your speeding ticket defense strategy.

Contact a Speeding Ticket Lawyer in Michigan

The consequences you could face if you are found guilty of speeding are greater than you might have thought. Don’t let yourself be convicted in the eyes of the law.

Get help from a Michigan speeding ticket lawyer. Call Drias Law Group at (313) 944-0236 today. We can set up your no-risk consultation by phone or through our quick contact form.