Los Angeles Speeding Ticket Lawyer

Protect Your License After A Speeding Ticket

If you recently received a speeding ticket in Los Angeles, you may be wondering whether to simply pay it and move on. That decision can have long-lasting effects on your driving record, your insurance premiums, and even your ability to keep your license if you already have prior traffic violations.

At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners, we help drivers understand their options before they make a choice that is difficult to undo. Our team brings more than 75 years of combined experience to traffic and speeding cases, and we use that experience to build strategic defenses that fit each client’s situation.

Call (213) 481-6811 to schedule your consultation today.

California Speeding Laws

California has some of the strictest and most detailed speeding laws in the country. Unlike states that rely solely on posted speed limits, California uses a combination of absolute limits, prima facie limits, and the Basic Speed Law.

Under the Basic Speed Law, drivers must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions—regardless of the posted limit. This means you can technically receive a speeding ticket even if you were traveling at or below the speed limit, if law enforcement believes road, traffic, or weather conditions made your speed unsafe.

California’s absolute speed limits include:

• 65 mph on most freeways (some allow 70 mph)
• 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways
• 25 mph in residential or business districts
• 15 mph near railroad crossings, alleys, or certain intersections

Exceeding an absolute limit is automatically considered speeding—no excuses allowed. Prima facie limits, on the other hand, may be challenged if you can prove your speed was safe under the circumstances. A knowledgeable Los Angeles speeding ticket lawyer can determine which law applies to your case and identify possible defenses.

Common Types of Speeding Tickets in Los Angeles

Drivers in Los Angeles may receive speeding tickets for a variety of reasons, including:

• Driving over the posted speed limit
• Speeding in school or construction zones
• Excessive speed (often 20+ mph over the limit)
• Driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
• Radar or laser-based speed enforcement citations

Each type of ticket carries different penalties and defense strategies. At , we tailor our approach based on the specific facts of your stop and citation.

Speeding Penalties

The penalties for speeding in Los Angeles can add up quickly. Fines increase based on how far over the speed limit you were driving, and court fees can significantly inflate the total cost.

Typical consequences of a speeding ticket in California include:

• Base fines and assessments that can exceed several hundred dollars
• Points on your driving record (usually 1 point, but 2 points for severe violations)
• Increased auto insurance premiums for years
• Possible license suspension for excessive points or repeat offenses
• Mandatory court appearances in certain cases

For example, driving more than 25 mph over the speed limit can result in steeper fines, two points on your record, and even reckless driving charges in extreme situations. Our Los Angeles speeding ticket lawyer can often help reduce or eliminate these penalties.

Defenses to Speeding Tickets

There are many possible defenses to a speeding ticket, including:

• Inaccurate radar or laser readings
• Improper calibration or maintenance of speed-detection devices
• Officer error or lack of clear observation
• Unsafe or confusing road signage
• Necessity or emergency situations
• Violations of your constitutional rights during the traffic stop

FAQs About Speeding Tickets in LA

Should I fight my speeding ticket or just pay it?

Paying a ticket is an admission of guilt and can lead to points and higher insurance rates. Fighting the ticket may help you avoid these consequences.

Will I have to go to court?

In many cases, your lawyer can appear in court on your behalf, saving you time and stress.

How many points will a speeding ticket add to my license?

Most speeding tickets add one point, but serious violations can add two points.

Can traffic school keep points off my record?

Traffic school may prevent points in some cases, but it doesn’t eliminate fines or insurance impacts entirely.

What if this isn’t my first speeding ticket?

Repeat offenses can lead to harsher penalties. A Los Angeles speeding ticket lawyer is especially important if you already have points on your record.

Why Drivers Choose Our Traffic Defense Team

When you are deciding whether to hire a speeding ticket attorney Los Angeles drivers can trust, you want more than a name on a citation. You want a team that understands how a single ticket can affect insurance, employment, professional licenses, and everyday life. We focus on protecting your record and limiting the long-term costs that often go far beyond the fine.

Our attorneys appear regularly in Los Angeles County traffic and criminal courts, including the courthouses that handle high-volume traffic calendars. This local experience matters because each courtroom has its own procedures, expectations, and typical approaches to speeding and traffic violations. We use our familiarity with local judges and prosecutors to guide our strategy and to prepare you for what is most likely to happen in your case.

When you meet with us, we take time to understand the details that make your ticket unique. We look at your alleged speed, the posted limit, the location, how the officer measured speed, and your driving history. We also discuss your goals, such as avoiding points, reducing the impact on insurance, or minimizing the need to appear in court yourself. That detailed picture allows us to craft a defense that is tailored instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Negotiation is a critical part of many traffic cases. Our team has spent years talking with prosecutors in Los Angeles County about speeding tickets and related violations. In many matters, those discussions can lead to reduced charges, amended speeds, or other resolutions that may lessen the effect on your record. We cannot promise a particular result, but we can promise that we will evaluate every reasonable option for your circumstances and give you candid advice about which paths are worth pursuing.

We also believe in being straightforward about what we can and cannot control. Courts, prosecutors, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles all have roles in how a case is resolved. Our job is to present your situation clearly, identify legal and factual issues that may help, and advocate for an outcome that fits your goals. Choosing the right lawyer is an important part of that process, which is why we encourage you to use our consultation to ask questions and compare your options.

To get started on your defense, contact our firm today.