A traffic citation can be paid, pled, or contested at trial under La. R.S. 32:61. Many drivers simply pay the fine without realizing that a guilty plea is a conviction that goes onto their driving record with the Office of Motor Vehicles — and that a pattern of convictions carries consequences well beyond the ticket itself.
Attorney Hatfield represents clients in traffic and parish courts throughout East and West Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes.
Louisiana doesn't assign points to a license the way many states do, but the OMV records every moving violation conviction and can act once a driver accumulates multiple convictions within a set period — a driver convicted of three or more moving violations within any 12-month period can be designated a habitual offender, which carries its own license suspension consequences separate from any single ticket.
Beyond the OMV's own consequences, every conviction on your driving record is visible to your insurance company, and a pattern of tickets can raise your premiums for years — often costing far more over time than the original fine. Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894 also allows for deferral on certain first offenses, which can keep a conviction off your permanent record entirely if handled correctly.
"Teresa is sharp, effective and thorough. She is responsive and organized. She considers every angle and knows when to be firm while remaining strategic. I also appreciate her factual approach. I highly recommend her to anyone needing legal help."
Anna James | Recent Client
Even one ticket is worth a second look, particularly if you're close to a violation threshold on your record or if the citation was issued in circumstances that don't hold up — an unclear sign, a miscalibrated device, or an officer error.
If you're approaching or have already crossed the threshold for a habitual offender designation, the stakes on your next ticket are much higher than the fine on the citation. Attorney Hatfield reviews your full driving history to build the right strategy for where you stand.
A conviction that's a minor inconvenience for most drivers can threaten a commercial license and a livelihood. These cases deserve particular care before any plea is entered.
A traffic ticket rarely feels urgent, which is exactly why so many go unchallenged when they shouldn't. Attorney Hatfield helps clients understand what a citation actually means for their record before deciding how to handle it.
Contact The Hatfield Law Office, LLC to request a consultation and discuss the next steps in your case.
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