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F.A.Q.I
am guilty. Why shouldn't I just pay the ticket? I am guilty. Why shouldn't I just pay the ticket? Paying the ticket results in a conviction on your driving record. Too many moving violations, and your car insurance will go through the roof. Too many of certain kinds of convictions, and DPS will try to suspend your driver's license, and you may also have to pay annual surcharges to keep your driving privileges. In most cases (over 95% for Class C licensees), even if you are guilty or if you are not eligible for defensive driving, we can keep moving violations off of your driving record. In most cases, even if you are guilty or if you are not eligible for defensive driving, we can keep moving violations off of your driving record. I am guilty. Why shouldn't I just take defensive driving (the driver safety course)? The right to take the defensive driving course is an important and valuable right. Once you elect this option, you lose the right to use it again from the date of your election to for one year from the date that you finish the course. What will you do if you get another moving violation in the next year? Wouldn't it be better to have the defensive driving option still available to you? More often than not, depending on the particular judge and circumstances, we can get your case dismissed without your having to use up this "get out of jail free" card. Taking defensive driving without the benefit of legal counsel for all of your other options may be short-changing yourself, causing you to waste your defensive driving election unnecessarily. Also, electing defensive driving is not without the risk that you will still end up with a conviction on your record anyway. You have to pay the court fees (usually about $60). You must also pay the tuition to an approved school for the course (which varies from about $25 to $50), and another $10 to the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin for a certified copy of your driving record. Do not forget that you must also spend at least 6 hours attending and passing the course. Finally, you must then provide the court with a certified copy of your driving record and the official course completion certificate within the time period given by the court. If you procrastinate and wait too long, or if you fail to do everything exactly as required, you can wind up having to go back to court again, and with a whole lot of wasted time and a conviction on your driving record anyway. I am guilty. How can you get me off? Without getting into many specifics, Eutsler Law Firm forces the prosecution to conform to proper procedures, and to meets its burden of proof. This creates opportunities and pressures along the way for the case to get dismissed or settled in a way that protects your driving record. For example, based on the information found on the ticket, a more formal written "complaint" is prepared and filed later in the case. We examine the complaint for the kinds of defects and errors which require that the case be dismissed. It is best to hire us as soon as possible after you receive your ticket. Otherwise, without realizing it, you may do something that hurts your chances of getting a better result, such as waiving one or more of your rights, or weakening our negotiating position by "taking care" of one or more violations while leaving another violation unresolved. There is a warrant for my arrest. Can you help me? Yes. We can write bonds and lift most warrants. We also will remind you of upcoming court dates to reduce the risk of getting a warrant for your arrest again. How much does it cost for your services, and how can I pay you? For a Class C licensee (non-commercial driver's license), our fees start at $70 for one standard moving violation in the City of Houston Municipal Court, in Harris County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 5, Place 2 and the City of Pasadena Municipal Court. We never charge a fee for failure to show proof of insurance if you had proper insurance at the time the ticket was issued, as long as you hire us for some other charge. Fees for non-moving violations can be less than $70, and cases in other courts and for holders of commercial licenses vary depending on the circumstances. Fees may be paid by credit card over the phone, by check or money order though the mail, or in person in any manner. Payment terms are available on a case-by-case basis. For tickets, usually not. For accidents, DWI's and other criminal cases, a meeting is usually necessary. Why should I hire Eutsler Law Firm instead of representing myself for a ticket? You get quality legal representation for a very reasonable price, you eliminate unnecessary trips to the courthouse, you eliminate anxiety and hassle, you can use most of your time while at the courthouse for your needs (if you have to go at all), and you increase your chances of a favorable outcome. This is why most lawyers who do not regularly practice in this area (including criminal lawyers who handle more serious felonies and misdemeanors) hire their own ticket attorney. Lawyers know that a ticket attorney dramatically increases the chances of a favorable outcome because of our specialized knowledge of the law and procedures, and because of relationships with judges, police, prosecutors and court personnel. I was injured in a motor vehicle accident that was the other driver's fault. What should I do? Call us immediately. There are definite do's and don'ts, such as not giving a statement to the other driver's insurance adjuster without first consulting with us, and getting immediate medical care. Make sure that you pay attention to any changes in the way you feel or the way or think, and the way your body behaves. Every change, whether you believe it is related to the auto accident or not, must be reported to your doctor. For example, you may be asked if you lost consciousness. Sometimes the first thing a client will recall after a car accident is someone knocking on their window asking if they are OK. This often means that the client was unconscious for a period of seconds or minutes, yet the client does not realize it. Or sometimes, without losing consciousness, you can be confused, dazed or stunned. Let your doctor know of all of these changes, even if they are now gone. If some symptoms arise later, such as headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness or poor balance, poor concentration, or ringing in the ears, you may have experienced a closed head injury requiring a more specialized doctor. If you are unable to afford a doctor or need a referral to a qualified doctor, we can help you get the medical care you need immediately. Accident cases
are usually handled on a percentage fee based on the amount we collect
for your benefit. Our fees start at 30%. This means you get 70% of
the settlement, less necessary expenses. If nothing is collected,
you owe us nothing, even for the expense that we paid for. I was involved in a hit & run accident? What should I do now? The City of Houston requires that you file a report with the Houston Police Department within 10 days. You should call us first to discuss the facts of your case. If you received a letter from the Hit & Run detail of the Houston Police Department alleging that your car was involved in an accident, contact us immediately. We can represent you and postpone any meetings, and in most cases, you will not have to go to 61 Riesner St. to meet with the investigation officer. So far, none of our clients have been charged with anything more serious than a ticket for causing an accident and/or for no license or insurance. Many times, no ticket is issued. I caused an automobile accident. What should I do? When a motor vehicle accident was your fault, and you have insurance, you should notify you insurance company immediately. Remember, if were injured and required medical care, and if you have PIP (personal injury protection coverage), you should get reimbursed up to your limits, even if you were at fault and even if you have other health care insurance coverage. This is what you pay your premiums for, and your insurance company will guide you from there and provide a legal defense for you if necessary. If you did not have insurance, contact us. We can defend you. If you are threatened with a license suspension, we can help you keep or obtain driving privileges. The other driver caused the auto accident, and I was not injured. What should I do now? First and foremost, you must make sure that you are not really injured. We have had a number of clients contact us after signing a release for a small sum of money because they later determined that they were indeed injured during the car wreck. It is always best to get to an emergency room or private doctor as soon as possible after an accident to get checked out, even if you think your symptoms are minor or non-existent. Many times has a client regretted failing to obtain prompt medical care quickly or at all. Unless you are a doctor, you are not trained to detect certain types of injuries. Also, be aware of any changes from normal, and ask your friends and family members if they detect any changes. Do not assume that headaches, for example, are due to allergies necessarily, or that changes in your sleep patterns are unrelated. We once had a client who lost her sense of taste and smell after a car accident. Your head does necessarily have to hit an object to suffer a type of brain injury. For example, sometimes the first thing a client will recall after a car accident is someone knocking on their window asking if they are OK. This often means that the client was unconscious for a period of seconds or minutes, yet the client does not realize it. Or sometimes, without losing consciousness, you can be confused, dazed or stunned. If some symptoms arise later, such as headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness or poor balance, poor concentration, or ringing in the ears, you may have experienced a closed head injury requiring a specialist, such as neurologist. Its usually too late for us to help you if you have already signed a general release and have received a settlement. Once you are sure that you are not injured, and if the other driver had insurance and you got the information at the scene, make a claim against his or her insurance for any vehicle damage. If he or she does not have liability insurance, or the other driver fled the scene, or if you get the "run around," call us. For a hit & run motor vehicle accident, see the information in the question above about Hit & Run accidents. My license is suspended or is about to be suspended. Can you help me? Yes. Read your
notice carefully, because there is usually a very short period within
which you must request a hearing. We can represent you at your administrative
license suspension hearing, and we can usually get you an occupational
(or restricted) license if a suspension is imposed. Do you handle other injury and death cases, such as medical malpractice, slip and fall or defective product cases? Yes. These cases are more difficult, and require careful review. They are handled for a percentage fee based on the amount we collect for your benefit. Please call us for a free and confidential consultation and evaluation. My child is out of control and in trouble with the law. Can you help us? Sometimes, when there is little or no doubt that your child "did it," it can be a good thing that your child got caught in the sense it creates a good opportunity for us as the lawyer to impress upon your child that certain behavior is destructive. We are sensitive to these situations. Let us help you turn "lemons into lemonade," and help you guide your child to a safer and more responsible future. Handbook For
Responsible Driving for Parents and Teens I am a teenager. Can you help me and keep my parents out of it? You are protected by the attorney/client privilege, and we cannot divulge any information to your parents without your permission. For those of you under age 17, the law typically requires that one parent accompany you to court. I still can help you communicate with your parents to understand the situation in a light more favorable to you. Call or email us for a free consultation. I have a ticket in a remote county or out of state. Can you help me? Usually yes. Call us to discuss the available options. |