Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Grand Prairie Ticket Defense Lawyer
Grand Prairie Speeding Ticket Lawyer: Protecting Your Record in the Post-Surcharge Era
Receiving a speeding ticket in Grand Prairie, Texas, can be a cause for concern. While the state’s approach to traffic violations has evolved, the importance of protecting your driving record remains paramount. This article aims to clarify the current landscape regarding speeding tickets in Grand Prairie Municipal Court, taking into account recent changes in Texas law.
If you would like to discuss your speeding ticket with a Grand Prairie speeding ticket attorney after reading this article, feel free to contact us at 214-321-4105.
The New Reality: Surcharges and Points No Longer Apply, But Consequences Remain
For years, Texas operated under the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP), which utilized a “points system” to penalize drivers. This program assessed state surcharges and could lead to automatic license suspensions based on accumulated points from traffic convictions.
Important Update: Effective September 1, 2019, the Texas Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) and its associated “points” system were repealed. This means:
- No More Surcharges: You will no longer face additional annual state fees (surcharges) from the DRP based on traffic convictions.
- No More Points: The system of assigning “points” to your driver’s license for moving violations is no longer in effect.
However, it is crucial to understand that the repeal of the DRP does NOT mean speeding ticket convictions are consequence-free. Your driving record remains vital to protect. Here’s why:
- Increased Insurance Premiums: This is now often the most significant and immediate financial impact of a speeding ticket conviction. Insurance companies have full access to your permanent driving record. Every conviction for a moving violation, including speeding, will be seen by your insurance provider and will almost certainly lead to higher premiums. These increases can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over several years, far outweighing the initial court fine.
- Driver’s License Suspensions: Even without the points system, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) still has the authority to suspend your driver’s license if you accumulate too many convictions. Specifically, your license can be suspended if you are convicted of:
- Four or more moving traffic violations within a 12-month period, or
- Seven or more moving traffic violations within a 24-month period. Certain serious offenses can also trigger suspensions independently. A common scenario we see as Grand Prairie speeding ticket lawyers involves individuals who collect multiple tickets over several months, then pay them all at once. Because all those convictions hit their record simultaneously, they can still trigger a suspension notice from DPS.
- Permanent Driving Record: When a speeding ticket becomes a conviction, it is placed on your permanent driving record. By “permanent,” we mean it generally will never automatically come off. This record is visible to potential employers (especially for jobs involving driving), and certain professional licensing boards.
Grand Prairie Warrants Lifted
The Smart Move: Hiring a Lawyer for Speeding Tickets in Grand Prairie
Given the ongoing financial and legal consequences of a traffic conviction, choosing to hire a speeding ticket defense lawyer in Grand Prairie is a strategic financial decision. The cost of legal representation is often significantly less than the long-term penalties associated with a bad driving record, primarily due to increased insurance premiums. If an attorney can prevent a conviction that would save you thousands of dollars in increased insurance costs over several years, the value is clear. The money saved by a speeding ticket lawyer may not be at the courthouse steps but rather on the “back end” through avoiding higher ongoing costs related to convictions reported to the State of Texas and your insurance company.
Understanding the Process Once a Grand Prairie Speeding Ticket Attorney is Hired
Once you decide to hire a speeding ticket attorney in Grand Prairie, you can expect a streamlined process:
- Attorney Appears on Your Behalf: In most cases, your speeding ticket attorney will go to Grand Prairie Municipal Court on your behalf. This means you typically do not need to attend court, saving you valuable time, stress, and potential missed work.
- Negotiation with the Prosecutor: At the court hearing, your attorney will engage in negotiations with the prosecutor for Grand Prairie Municipal Court. The primary objective is to find a resolution that prevents the speeding ticket from resulting in a conviction on your permanent driving record.
- Seeking Favorable Outcomes: If a deal can be struck that protects your record, your Grand Prairie speeding ticket lawyer will normally accept it on your behalf. Common resolutions aimed at record protection include:
- Deferred Disposition (or Deferred Adjudication): This is often the most desirable outcome. You typically pay court costs and may agree to conditions (e.g., no new tickets for a specified period). If you successfully complete the deferral period, the case is dismissed and will not appear as a conviction on your driving record.
- Driver’s Safety Course (Defensive Driving): For eligible offenses and drivers, completing a state-approved defensive driving course can also lead to the ticket’s dismissal.
- Exploring All Options: If an initial favorable deal cannot be reached, your attorney will discuss other options with you, which could include further negotiation, challenging the ticket at trial, or exploring any specific legal defenses available.
In summary, don’t underestimate the long-term impact of a speeding ticket conviction, even with the changes to Texas law. The importance of a clean driving record has not diminished.
If you have a speeding ticket in Grand Prairie, Texas, and would like to discuss your options with our experienced speeding ticket lawyers, feel free to contact us today at 214-321-4105.
