What is the Role of a Traffic Lawyer?

Most drivers will encounter law enforcement at some point in their lives, whether due to a traffic report they received, traffic offenses they committed, or an accident in which they were involved. Many situations may even require the intervention of a traffic lawyer, especially when it involves driving restrictions or a substantial financial report. This article will clarify everything you need to know about the role of a traffic lawyer in Israel, when it’s advisable to consult one, and how to choose the right attorney for your needs.

What Does an Israeli Traffic Lawyer Do?

A traffic lawyer is an attorney with a legal license who specializes in traffic laws. This attorney typically appears before a traffic court, representing clients in complex cases involving serious traffic offenses, such as hit-and-run incidents, or in simpler cases, like receiving a monetary fine or demerit points from a traffic officer. Traffic lawyers intervene to cancel reports or demerit points assigned to a driver or, at the very least, reduce the penalty received. Moreover, the lawyer works on proving the innocence of a driver accused of severe traffic offenses.

When Might You Need a Traffic Lawyer’s Intervention?

Seeking a traffic lawyer can be useful in cases ranging from a minor fine to legal representation after a fatal accident. However, drivers most typically consult a traffic lawyer when facing significant potential losses, such as the loss of a driving license, accumulated demerit points, or a substantial monetary fine.

The role of a traffic lawyer may include:

Representing defendants accused of causing severe road accidents, for instance, hit-and-run incidents.
Handling cases of those caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Annulment of demerit points, penalties given to a driver following a traffic offense, and presenting evidence in cases involving dangerous overtaking, disrupting traffic, using a mobile phone while driving, failure to yield, offenses by new drivers, and driving without mandatory insurance.
Representing clients who’ve had their driving license revoked, either by the licensing department or by a police officer in an administrative process.
Reaching plea bargain arrangements.
Ensuring license retention until the end of legal proceedings.
Canceling unjustified traffic reports, whether due to excessive speed, parking in prohibited areas, or committing a traffic offense.
Representing drivers caught driving without a license, with a suspended license, or with an expired driving license.

In addition, a traffic lawyer can provide professional guidance and advice before drivers appear for examinations at the Medical Institute for Road Safety. A referral to the institute may occur after the discovery of a medical problem, a deterioration in one’s health condition, a drug-related offense, causing injury in a traffic accident that resulted in a prison sentence of over a year, drunk driving by a new driver, and other reasons that may vary according to the driver. Consulting with a traffic lawyer can help drivers prepare for computer-based personality tests, interviews with a psychologist, psychiatrist, and general practitioner. Consulting a lawyer will likely increase the chances of success in passing the tests at the Medical Institute for Road Safety.

What can be done after committing a traffic offense?

The driver’s reaction after committing the offense and receiving the fine is of great significance. As a specialist traffic lawyer, I would recommend the following:

Request to convert the report into a warning: If the report seems unjust to the recipient, it is advisable to wait before paying. This is because paying the report can be seen as an admission of guilt, making it difficult to contest the offense. If the driver has a clean driving record and relatively no previous reports, they can request that the report be converted to a warning. The approval of the request is up to the police officer’s discretion, and it’s unpredictable whether it will be approved or not.
Request to cancel the report: The driver will need to present clear evidence of an error made in the report issuance, such as footage from a car camera. If no such evidence exists, the chances of the request being accepted are slim.
Request a trial: The driver can ask to present their case in front of a judge. Among the options mentioned, this has the highest chance of success. It is advisable to approach the court accompanied by a traffic lawyer.

How to choose a traffic lawyer?

Given the large number of traffic lawyers available, it’s important to turn to a trustworthy professional with experience in the field and good interpersonal skills. It’s recommended to conduct a preliminary conversation where all relevant questions to the case are raised, as well as inquiries about the lawyer’s professional experience. Meeting with the lawyer will clarify if they are a professional with good people skills. This is crucial as you will have many interactions with them in the future, and it’s preferable to work with someone patient and attentive to client needs.

Moreover, professional experience in the field can increase the chances of success in traffic court. A lawyer who has handled many cases will know how to assess the client’s chances of success and will put forth the best arguments on their behalf. Turning to a traffic lawyer can be significant for your future as a driver, not just for canceling a report you received. A lawyer’s intervention might prevent future license revocation and even acquit someone charged with a criminal offense.

Our office in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv specializes in traffic law and has extensive experience in representing client cases. We’d be happy to assist. Please contact us without obligation at the phone number below.