We tried to help warn the public that police would be out in full force looking for violators once the new hands-free driving law went into effect, but it appears that our warnings may have fallen on deaf ears. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, police officers across the state cited 678 drivers for using their cell phone behind the wheel in the first week that the law was in place.
What’s most concerning is that a large portion of the tickets were given to drivers right here in our own backyard. About 40 percent of the tickets, or 286 citations, were given to drivers in Hennepin County. These tickets aren’t cheap either, as a first offense is $50 but can cost more than $100 once court costs and administrative fees are added on. A subsequent violation will run you $275, but again, once additional fees are tacked on, you’re looking at more than $300 for the violation.
Contesting A Hands-Free Cell Phone Citation In Minnesota
If this trend continues, we expect to be one of the most experienced law firms when it comes to contesting hands-free cell phone citations, as we’re housed smack dab in the middle of Hennepin County. We’ve contested plenty of texting while driving cases and secured dismissals for out clients in the past, and now we’re doing everything we can to understand the best ways to contest the new law given its parameters.
We’ll do everything in our power to help you beat the charges, but you can help make our job easier based on how you interact with the officer. For starters, never admit to using your phone behind the wheel. If you say you were texting or taking a call, you’re giving them all the evidence they need to convict you. They will try to get you to admit to using your phone and they may even ask to see your phone, but you do not need to turn it over without a warrant, so don’t hand the evidence to them. The less you say and do during the interaction, the less police will have to make their case on.
We’ll take it from there. We’ll listen to your side of the story, review the police officer’s statement and check with any witnesses who can corroborate your story. All this adds up to a strong defense, which is important when large fines and the potential loss of your driver’s license is on the line. For more information, or to set up a free case review session to determine if hiring a lawyer is in your best interests, click here or give us a call at (952) 224-2277.
