Traffic lawyer in Springfield, NE. You get pulled over in Springfield, NE. The officer hands you a ticket. You drive away annoyed, but probably thinking the same thing most people do: I’ll pay it and be done with it.
Look at the fine. Pay the ticket. Complain about it for the rest of the afternoon to anyone within earshot. Move on.
The problem is that paying a traffic ticket can amount to pleading guilty to the violation. And depending on what you were cited for, that decision may follow you long after the fine has been paid.
A conviction can put points on your Nebraska driving record, contribute to a license suspension, create problems for a job that depends on your ability to drive, and potentially lead to higher insurance costs. More serious allegations can carry consequences that go well beyond points and fines because some driving offenses are prosecuted as criminal charges.
At Miltenberger Law Offices, our experienced Springfield, NE criminal defense attorneys represent people facing everything from everyday traffic citations to serious criminal traffic offenses throughout the Springfield area and across Nebraska.
Before assuming the easiest option is simply paying the ticket, it can be worth finding out what you’re actually agreeing to. Call us at (402) 217-2267 or reach out online for free, confidential legal advice regarding your traffic offense.
Article Summary: What You’ll Learn About Traffic Charges in Springfield, NE
It’s easy to look at a traffic ticket in Springfield, NE and focus on one number: the fine. But what you pay today may be only one part of what the citation ultimately costs you.
This page walks you through what Nebraska drivers should know before deciding how to handle a citation. That includes how to tell the difference between a traffic infraction and a criminal offense, how points are assessed under Nebraska law, and why certain allegations, such as reckless driving, driving while suspended, or offenses arising from a crash, deserve particular attention. We’ll also explain why CDL holders have additional reasons to take even seemingly minor violations seriously.
Most importantly, you’ll learn why the consequences of a traffic citation depend on more than the fine printed on the ticket. Your existing driving record, the specific offense, the evidence behind the citation, and how you resolve the case can all matter.
A traffic stop may last only a few minutes. Before resolving the citation that comes from it, make sure you understand what could follow you long after you drive away.
Do I Need a Traffic Lawyer for a Ticket in Springfield, NE?
You probably don’t need to call a traffic lawyer every time you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror.
But not every traffic citation is as minor as it initially appears, either. The first question isn’t simply, “How much is the fine?” It’s what happens after you resolve the citation. How many points could be assessed? How many points are already on your record? Could your driving privileges be affected? Do you drive for work?
Is this actually a traffic infraction, or are you accused of a misdemeanor or felony involving a vehicle?
Finally, consider whether the allegation can actually be proven. Police observations aren’t automatically beyond dispute. Video footage, witness accounts, accident evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the stop can all become important?
Those are often more important questions than, “How much do I have to pay?” Because there’s a big difference between paying a fine and accepting consequences that could remain on your record long after the receipt is gone.
Common Traffic Offenses Our Springfield, NE Lawyers Handle
Traffic cases can range from relatively ordinary moving violations to criminal charges carrying the possibility of license revocation and other penalties.
Miltenberger Law represents drivers in Springfield and across Nebraska facing charges and citations involving:
- Speeding and excessive speeding (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-682.01)
- Careless driving (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,212)
- Reckless driving (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,218)
- Willful reckless driving (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,214)
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,108)
- Driving without a valid license (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,111)
- Leaving the scene of an accident (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-696)
- Failure to render aid (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-697)
- Failure to yield (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§§§ 60-6,147, 60-6,148, 60-6,149, 60-6,151)
- Improper lane changes (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,139)
- Following too closely (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,140)
- School bus violations (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,175)
- Distracted-driving violations (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,179.01)
- Commercial driver’s license violations (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,168 through §60-4,172)
- Accident-related traffic charges
- Other Nebraska moving violations
They may all begin with something that happened behind the wheel, but the potential consequences can be dramatically different.
For one driver, the primary concern may be points accumulating on a driving record. For another, the same trip down the road can end with a suspended license or a criminal charge carrying substantially greater consequences.
Knowing which kind of case you’re facing is a good place to start.
What’s the Difference Between a Traffic Infraction and a Criminal Traffic Offense in Nebraska?
Flashing lights. Pull over. Hand over your license. Wait for the officer to come back. From the driver’s seat, most traffic stops start about the same way.
Legally, they can lead to very different places.
Nebraska law draws an important distinction between an ordinary traffic infraction and conduct that has been classified as a crime. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-672, a traffic infraction generally involves violating Nebraska’s Rules of the Road or another traffic law that has not otherwise been designated a misdemeanor or felony.
That’s why a basic speeding ticket and a serious reckless-driving allegation shouldn’t be viewed as two versions of the same thing.
An ordinary traffic infraction can still cost you money and put points on your driving record. Accumulate enough points, and your license can become an issue. But the offense itself isn’t necessarily a misdemeanor or felony.
Other conduct behind the wheel can cross into criminal territory.
Nebraska has specifically made certain conduct involving motor vehicles criminal, meaning you could find yourself defending a misdemeanor or felony case.
Examples can include:
- DUI: A first or second offense is typically prosecuted as a Class W misdemeanor, while certain subsequent offenses or aggravating circumstances can result in felony charges.
- Refusal of Chemical Testing: Refusing any chemical testing during a lawful DUI stop.
- Driving While Suspended or Revoked: Driving after Nebraska has suspended or revoked your driving privileges can expose you to more than an ordinary moving violation.
- Eluding/Avoiding Arrest: Operating a motor vehicle to intentionally flee or avoid a law enforcement officer.
- Reckless/Willful Reckless Driving: Particularly dangerous driving behavior can carry consequences far beyond those associated with an ordinary moving violation.
- Leaving the Scene/Failure to Render Aid: Failing to satisfy your legal obligations after certain accidents involving property damage, injury, or death.
The distinction matters because criminal traffic offenses can potentially expose a defendant to:
- Jail or imprisonment
- Criminal fines and court costs
- Court-ordered restrictions on driving
- Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
- Probation
- A criminal record
- Additional consequences for repeat offenses
There’s an important legal nuance here, too. Nebraska law provides that traffic infractions are generally treated procedurally in the same manner as misdemeanors unless the law provides otherwise. Nebraska courts have also described prosecution of a traffic infraction as a criminal action. That does not mean every traffic infraction is classified as a misdemeanor. Nebraska’s statutory definition specifically distinguishes a traffic infraction from an offense otherwise declared to be a misdemeanor or felony.
In plain English: Something can be “a traffic case” without being a criminal traffic offense, and something that starts with a traffic stop can absolutely become a criminal case.
So don’t judge the seriousness of the situation by whether the officer called it a “ticket.” Look at the statute you’re accused of violating. That tells you much more about the case you’re actually facing.
How Nebraska’s Point System Can Affect Your Driver’s License
One traffic ticket might seem manageable. The trouble starts when the points attached to that ticket meet the points already sitting on your record.
The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles assigns points following convictions for certain motor vehicle violations. How many points you receive depends on the specific offense.
For example, the Nebraska DMV currently assesses:
- Careless driving: 4 points
- Reckless driving: 5 points
- Willful reckless driving: 6 points
- Leaving the scene of an accident: 6 points
- Failure to render aid in an accident: 6 points
- Certain handheld wireless-device violations: 3 points
Speeding is a little different. Depending on how far above the speed limit you were allegedly traveling and the type of road involved, a speeding conviction can result in anywhere from zero to four points. That’s where your existing driving history becomes important.
Nebraska revokes a driver’s privileges after the accumulation of 12 points within a two-year period. According to the DMV, a first point-based revocation lasts 6 months. If a driver receives a second point revocation within 5 years, the revocation period increases to 3 years.
And don’t assume the timing of your court dates will determine which violations count together. For purposes of point accumulation, Nebraska looks to the date of the violation. That means a new citation shouldn’t always be viewed as a fresh start. If you already have points on your record, the more useful question is: Where will this conviction put me?.
If you already have points on your record, the ticket in your hand shouldn’t necessarily be considered in isolation.
Speeding Tickets in Springfield, NE Can Add More Than a Fine
A speeding ticket can look pretty straightforward: the officer says you were going a certain speed, there’s a fine attached, and paying it makes the problem go away.
At least, that’s how it looks on the citation.
A Nebraska speeding conviction can affect your driving record as well as your wallet. The number of points assessed depends on how far above the speed limit you were allegedly traveling and, at certain speeds, the type of road involved.
For example, exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 35 mph currently results in four points whether the alleged violation occurs in a business or residential district, on a county road or state highway, or on the interstate. At lower speeds, the point assessment can vary depending on where the violation happened.
But before you get to points and penalties, there’s another question worth asking: How did the officer determine your speed?.
A traffic defense attorney can review the evidence underlying a speeding citation, which may include:
- Radar or lidar readings
- The officer’s observations
- Whether the officer paced your vehicle
- Dash-camera or other available video
- The location of the stop
- Whether speed-limit signage was properly posted and visible
- Other circumstances surrounding the alleged violation
The number written on a speeding ticket is an allegation. Understanding the evidence behind that number is another matter.
A traffic defense lawyer in Springfield, NE can examine how that number got onto the citation in the first place.
What Are Your Options for Fighting a Traffic Ticket in Springfield, NE?
The officer handed you a ticket. That establishes one thing for certain: You received a ticket. It doesn’t automatically establish that you’re guilty of the offense written on it.
Traffic cases are decided on evidence, and the relevant evidence can extend well beyond an officer’s description of what happened. Depending on the allegation, a traffic attorney may investigate:
- The officer’s observations
- Body-camera and dash-camera recordings
- How speed was measured, including radar, lidar, or pacing
- Statements from passengers or other witnesses
- Weather, visibility, and roadway conditions
- The placement and visibility of signs or pavement markings
- Whether the prosecution can establish each required element of the offense
- Statements attributed to you during the stop
- Evidence from an accident scene
- Your driving record and prior convictions
Challenging a ticket doesn’t automatically mean accusing, “The officer is dishonest.”
That’s a remarkably narrow way to think about a traffic case.
What an officer saw and what those observations legally prove are two separate questions. An officer might accurately report that your vehicle changed lanes abruptly, for example. That doesn’t necessarily answer whether the circumstances satisfy every element of the specific Nebraska traffic offense you’ve been accused of committing.
You don’t fight a citation simply because you disagree with the officer. You examine whether the available evidence is sufficient to prove the actual violation charged.
What Should You Do After Receiving a Traffic Citation in Springfield, NE?
Start by actually reading it. That sounds obvious. You would be surprised.
Read the entire ticket. Check the specific offense and statute, the court handling the matter, any scheduled appearance, and the deadline for responding. A traffic citation may look routine, but that doesn’t mean every ticket can, or should, be handled by simply paying the amount listed on it.
It’s also worth knowing what your driving record already looks like. Nebraska drivers can review their current driving record, which can be particularly important if you’ve had other violations within the last two years. The points from this ticket don’t exist in a vacuum.
Preserve evidence while you still can. If the citation followed a crash or another disputed incident, save photographs, videos, dash-camera recordings, witness names and contact information, and anything else that could help establish what happened. If a nearby home or business may have surveillance footage, don’t wait too long to identify it. Those recordings aren’t necessarily kept forever.
And if you’re facing a criminal traffic charge, substantial points, possible license consequences, or a violation that could affect your livelihood, speak with a traffic attorney in Springfield, NE before deciding how to resolve the case.
Traffic Violations Can Be Especially Serious for Nebraska CDL Holders
Most drivers worry about the fine and the points. Commercial drivers may also have to worry about their next paycheck.
Under Nebraska law, certain offenses qualify as “serious traffic violations” involving commercial driving privileges. That category includes speeding 15 mph or more above the posted limit, reckless or willful reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely, and certain mobile-device violations.
If your paycheck depends on your CDL, it makes sense to understand the licensing consequences before resolving the citation.
Pulled over and given a traffic ticket in Springfield, NE? When you hire a Miltenberger Law traffic lawyer in or around Springfield, NE, you aren’t simply selecting the ideal traffic attorney in and around Springfield, NE – you are safeguarding your rights and your future. Along with an esteemed traffic lawyer, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following practice areas for residents in Springfield and beyond:
- Assault Lawyer
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
- Drug Manufacturing Lawyer
- Drug Crimes Defense Attorney
- DUI with Drugs Lawyer
Why Drivers in Springfield, NE Turn to Miltenberger Law
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all way to evaluate a traffic charge. The same citation can create very different problems for two different drivers.
It’s important because the consequences are different for every driver.
A speeding ticket means something different to someone with a spotless record than it does to someone sitting at nine points. A reckless-driving allegation means something different to someone who rarely drives than it does to someone whose job requires a valid license. And a criminal traffic charge is considerably different from a routine moving violation, even though both may begin with an officer handing you a piece of paper through the driver’s-side window.
That’s why our attorneys at Miltenberger Law don’t evaluate a case based solely on what is written across the top of the citation. Our experienced Springfield, NE legal team looks at the circumstances surrounding the charge and what a conviction could actually mean for you.
We can review the citation, your driving history, the evidence surrounding the stop or accident, the applicable Nebraska law, and the potential consequences of a conviction.
Then we determine how the case should be approached, not based on how serious traffic tickets are in general, but based on the facts, evidence, and consequences involved in yours.
You don’t need to panic over every citation. You also shouldn’t dismiss one before you understand what it could really cost.
Talk to a Traffic Lawyer in Springfield, NE Before You Simply Pay the Ticket
Maybe you’re facing a speeding ticket. Maybe an officer accused you of careless or reckless driving. Maybe you learned during the traffic stop that your license isn’t as valid as you thought it was. Or maybe what started as a routine stop has resulted in an actual criminal charge.
Whatever brought you here, find out what the citation means before deciding how to respond to it.
Miltenberger Law represents drivers in Springfield, NE and throughout Nebraska. Call (402) 217-2267 or reach out to our office online to speak with an experienced Springfield, NE traffic lawyer about your charge, your driving record, and your options for moving forward.
Paying a ticket in the Springfield, NE area may be quick. Understanding what you’re paying for is better.
