Last Updated on June 8, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Speeding Ticket Defense in Garland Municipal Court: Protecting Your Driving Privileges
Garland Ticket Defense Attorney
The Beltz Law Group: Experienced Advocacy for All Speeding Violations
Received a speeding ticket in Garland? Don’t just pay it! Understand your options and protect your record. Contact us today: 214-321-4105
A speeding ticket in Garland Municipal Court can feel like a minor inconvenience, but its impact can extend far beyond the initial fine. A conviction for speeding can lead to points on your driving record, increased insurance premiums, and even the potential for driver’s license suspension. At The Beltz Law Group, we understand the nuances of Texas speeding laws and the specific procedures of Garland Municipal Court. Our goal is to provide a robust defense designed to protect your driving record and minimize the long-term consequences.
Understanding Different Types of Speeding Violations
Speeding tickets are not all created equal in Texas. The severity of the penalties often depends on where and how fast you were driving. Here are some common types of speeding violations you might encounter in Garland:
- Basic Speeding: This is the most common type, where you are cited for exceeding the posted speed limit. Fines typically increase with how far over the limit you were traveling. While there’s no official “10% rule” in Texas, some courts may impose higher fines or be less lenient when you exceed the limit by a significant margin (e.g., 10-15 mph or more over).
- Speeding in a School Zone: These are serious offenses. Speed limits in school zones are typically reduced (often to 20 MPH) during specific hours when children are present. Fines for speeding in a school zone are significantly higher, and many courts have stricter policies regarding dismissals for these violations due to the heightened safety concern.
- Speeding in a Construction Zone with Workers Present: This is one of the most heavily penalized speeding violations. When workers are actively present in a marked construction or maintenance work zone, fines for speeding are often doubled. This is a critical safety measure, and prosecutors and judges treat these cases with extreme seriousness.
- Speeding “Unsafe for Conditions” (Basic Speed Law Violation): Texas law also has a “Basic Speed Law” (Transportation Code § 545.351) which states that you must not drive at a speed greater than is “reasonable and prudent” given the conditions. Even if you are technically below the posted speed limit, you can be cited if factors like heavy rain, fog, ice, heavy traffic, or hazardous road conditions make your speed unsafe.
- Excessive Speeding: While not a separate charge, going significantly over the speed limit (e.g., 25 MPH or more) can lead to additional charges like “Unsafe Speed” or even “Reckless Driving,” which are more serious Class B misdemeanors carrying higher fines and potential jail time.
Lawyer In Garland For Speeding Tickets
Regardless of the specific type of speeding violation, The Beltz Law Group possesses the knowledge and experience to mount an effective defense.
Our Defense Strategies in Garland Municipal Court
When you hire The Beltz Law Group to defend your speeding ticket in Garland, we explore every avenue to protect your record:
- Challenging the Evidence: We scrutinize the officer’s methods for determining your speed (e.g., radar, lidar, pacing) for any calibration issues, operator error, or environmental factors that could have led to an inaccurate reading.
- Negotiating for Dismissal or Deferred Disposition: Our primary goal is always to get the ticket dismissed. For eligible cases, we can negotiate with the prosecutor for a deferred disposition (probationary period where, upon successful completion, the ticket is dismissed and not reported as a conviction) or, for certain violations, a defensive driving course. Garland Municipal Court offers deferred disposition and defensive driving for many speeding offenses, provided certain eligibility requirements are met (e.g., not speeding excessively, not in a construction zone with workers present, no CDL).
- Contesting the Conditions: For “unsafe for conditions” tickets, we can argue that the driving conditions did not warrant a reduced speed or that your speed was indeed reasonable and prudent.
- Identifying Technicalities: We carefully review the citation and court procedures for any errors or omissions that could lead to a dismissal.
- Representation in Court: For most Class C misdemeanor speeding tickets, our attorneys can appear on your behalf, saving you time and the stress of navigating the court system alone.
Specialized Defense for Commercial Drivers (CDL Holders)
Help With Speeding Tickets For Commercial Drivers
For individuals holding a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a speeding ticket is not just a minor traffic infraction – it’s a direct threat to your livelihood. CDL holders face much stricter regulations and harsher penalties for moving violations, even if the offense occurred in a personal vehicle.
- No “Easy Outs”: Unlike non-CDL drivers, commercial drivers are generally not eligible for deferred disposition or defensive driving courses for most moving violations in Texas, due to specific federal and state “anti-masking” laws (Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.301). This means a conviction almost always appears on your official driving record.
- Serious Traffic Offenses: Speeding 15 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving, or improper lane changes are considered “serious traffic offenses.” Accumulating two such offenses within three years can lead to a 60-day CDL disqualification; three within three years can result in a 120-day disqualification.
- Mandatory Employer Notification: CDL holders are legally required to inform their employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction, which can put your job at risk, as many companies have strict policies regarding driver infractions.
Given these severe consequences, the defense of a CDL holder’s speeding ticket requires specialized knowledge and aggressive advocacy. The Beltz Law Group understands these unique complexities. Our primary goal for CDL drivers is to fight for outright dismissal or a reduction of the charge to a non-moving violation that will not impact your CDL. We are experts in navigating the intricate laws that govern commercial driving privileges.
Don’t take chances with your driving record or your career. If you’ve received a speeding ticket in Garland, especially if you’re a commercial driver, contact The Beltz Law Group today for a comprehensive consultation.
