Last Updated on June 9, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Your Day in Court: Why Setting Your Speeding Ticket for Trial in Garland Municipal Court is a Smart Move
Speeding Ticket Defense Attorney
When you receive a speeding ticket in Garland, Texas, the initial inclination might be to just pay it off and move on. However, this seemingly simple action often leads to a conviction on your driving record, which can trigger higher insurance premiums, points, and even driver’s license suspension issues. At Beltz Law Group, we emphasize a proactive approach: in many cases, especially for speeding tickets, setting your case for trial in Garland Municipal Court is the best strategy to protect your record.
This approach is particularly crucial for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders, for whom even a minor speeding conviction can have devastating, career-altering consequences. If you’re facing a speeding ticket in Garland, contact us today at 214-321-4105 to discuss how taking your case to trial can benefit you.
The Power of Setting for Trial: The Officer’s Appearance
One of the primary reasons to set a speeding ticket for trial in Garland Municipal Court is the possibility that the issuing officer may not appear. While there are no guarantees, and officers generally take their court appearances seriously, scheduling conflicts, sick days, vacations, or even administrative errors can sometimes prevent an officer from being present.
- If the Officer Does NOT Appear: In many jurisdictions, including Garland, if the citing officer fails to appear for the scheduled trial without a valid reason or prior arrangement with the court, the judge may dismiss your case. This is a favorable outcome as it means no conviction on your record, no points, and no impact on your insurance. While a continuance (rescheduling) is also a possibility, a dismissal is often granted if the officer’s absence is unexplained.
- No Guarantees, But Maximum Opportunity: It’s important to state clearly that there are no guarantees that setting a case for trial will result in a dismissal due to an officer’s absence. However, it provides a unique opportunity that simply paying the ticket would never afford. If you don’t set it for trial, the officer’s presence or absence becomes irrelevant – you’ve already accepted the conviction.
Why This is Especially Critical for CDL Holders
Lawyer For CDL Speeding Ticket
For commercial drivers, the stakes are significantly higher. A speeding conviction, even a minor one, can threaten your livelihood:
- No Deferred Disposition/Defensive Driving: Unlike non-CDL holders, commercial drivers are generally ineligible for options like deferred disposition or defensive driving courses that can keep a conviction off their record. This means that for a CDL holder, paying a speeding ticket will almost certainly result in a conviction appearing on their Commercial Driver’s Record (CDLIS).
- “Serious Traffic Offenses”: Speeding (especially 15 mph or more over the limit), reckless driving, and improper lane changes are classified as “serious traffic offenses.” Accumulating two such offenses within three years can lead to a 60-day CDL disqualification, and three offenses within three years can result in a 120-day disqualification.
- Employer Notification & Job Security: CDL holders are legally required to notify their employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction. Many trucking companies have strict policies, and even one conviction can make a driver uninsurable, unemployable, or increase the company’s insurance premiums drastically.
Given these severe consequences, CDL holders cannot afford to simply pay a speeding ticket. Taking the case to trial, even if the officer appears, is often the only realistic path to a dismissal or reduction that won’t impact their commercial license.
Our Lawyers Can Represent You at Trial
Speeding Ticket Defense Lawyer in Texas
If the officer does appear for trial in Garland Municipal Court, having an experienced traffic defense attorney by your side is invaluable. Our lawyers at Beltz Law Group will:
- Challenge the Evidence: We can question the officer’s testimony, scrutinize the calibration and usage of speed measuring devices (radar, lidar), and look for any procedural errors or inconsistencies in the state’s case.
- Rebut the Presumption of Unreasonableness: As discussed in our previous articles, we can present evidence to the judge or jury demonstrating that your speed, while perhaps over the limit, was still reasonable and prudent under the circumstances (e.g., road conditions, weather, traffic).
- Provide a Strong Defense: We will advocate for you, ensuring that every legal opportunity is taken to present the best possible defense. While no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, you can trust that we will fight your ticket as hard as possible to achieve a dismissal or a favorable resolution.
- Handle Court Proceedings: Our presence in court means you often don’t have to navigate the formalities and stresses of the courtroom yourself.
Trust in Every Opportunity
While setting a case for trial does not guarantee dismissal, it strategically positions you to take advantage of every possible avenue for a favorable outcome. By choosing to fight your ticket in Garland Municipal Court rather than simply paying it, you are giving yourself the best chance to protect your driving record and livelihood.
Don’t accept a speeding ticket conviction without a fight, especially if you’re a CDL holder. Contact Beltz Law Group today at 214-321-4105 to discuss setting your Garland speeding ticket for trial. We are dedicated to ensuring every opportunity is taken to protect your record.
