Do I need an attorney present in court for a license/registration suspension?
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Do I need an attorney present in court for a license/registration suspension?
I have a court date next week regarding a ticket I received for lapse insurance and possible suspension of registration and or license.
Asked on April 25, 2018 under General Practice, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Are you required to have an attorney? No. Anyone may legally represent themselves as their own attorney ("pro se").
Should you have an attorney? Yes--assuming that you want to maximize your chance of avoiding a suspension, or at least reducing how long it might last. The lawyer will know far better than you what weaknesses might exist in the case against you and how to possibly attack the government's evidence; the lawyer will also know what other, lesser violations or penalties you may be able to bargain to and how best to get the prosecutor to offer them. A lawyer cannot guaranty a favorable outcome, but will certainly increase the odds of a good (or at least better) result.
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