Traffic
Offenses & Violations
Effects
on Your Insurance Rates 
& Driving Privileges
Although jail
time is seldom imposed in traffic cases, traffic convictions have
very real consequences regarding your ability to obtain affordable
automobile insurance and maintain your driving privileges.
Most insurance
companies keep records of traffic violations and will increase your
rates, or cancel your policy, if there are numerous convictions.
If you receive an alcohol related traffic conviction, most insurance
carriers will cancel your coverage.
Your driving
privileges are also affected by your traffic convictions. Many states
have a point system, or other methodology, which assigns a "point"
value, and provides for suspension or revocation of your driver's
license upon accumulation of a prescribed number of points.
For the convenience
of our Missouri clients, the Missouri point system is set forth
at the end of this section. The content is effective as of the date
of preparation of this article. The reader should consult the official
Missouri Revised Statutes for accuracy on of the date of reading.
Suspension
of Driving Privileges
Missouri Law
provides for a suspension of driving privileges upon accumulation
of 8 or more points within a period of eighteen months. In the case
of an initial suspension, the driver's license will be suspended
for thirty (30) days; the second such suspension will be for sixty
(60) days; the third, and any such subsequent, suspension shall
be ninety (90) days. The license will only be reinstated after completion
of the suspension period, payment of a reinstatement fee, and filing
proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 costly High Risk Insurance).
Revocation
of Driver's License
Missouri law
further provides for revocation (complete loss of driver's license)
upon accumulation of 12 points within 12 months, or 18 points within
24 months, or 24 points within 36 months. A person whose license
has been revoked must reapply for a new license after expiration
of the revocation period. Again, the application must be accompanied
by proof of financial responsibility - SR-22 High Risk Insurance.
The
Solution - How
You Can Avoid Points
& Insurance Hikes
Avoid points
wherever possible! If you receive a traffic violation, contact a
lawyer and determine whether the charge can be defended, dismissed,
or reduced through plea bargaining to a non-moving or non-point
offense. For a minimal charge, many traffic cases can be successfully
concluded without points. Keep your driving record clean and avoid
high insurance rates!
For experienced professional representation,
contact our office today at (314) 725-1880.
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DISCLAIMER:
THE PRECEDING INFORMATION WAS OF A GENERAL NATURE AND NOT MEANT
TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR TO BE USED IN, OR APPLIED TO, ANY
INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. THIS GENERAL INFORMATION IS APPLICABLE TO
THE STATE OF MISSOURI AND MAY NOT BE VALID UNDER THE LAWS OF OTHER
STATES. IF THE READER HAS SPECIFIC LEGAL QUESTIONS, HE OR SHE SHOULD
CONTACT AN ATTORNEY.
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