Traffic Matters
A traffic ticket in Memphis is handled on a flat fee — one price per ticket, and in most routine matters we appear in court for you so you never miss a day of work. Our flat fee for a single non-commercial traffic ticket in Memphis City Court or Shelby County General Sessions at 201 Poplar is $200. Court costs and any fine are separate and paid to the court. Call or text the criminal line at 901-412-2973 or the office at (901) 324-5000 for a free consultation — and honest advice on whether you even need a lawyer for your ticket.
Traffic ticket lawyer fees
| Situation | Our flat fee |
|---|---|
| Single traffic ticket in Memphis City Court or Shelby County General Sessions (201 Poplar) — speeding, red light, stop sign, improper passing, following too closely | $200 per ticket |
| Ticket in a suburban municipal court (Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington) | quoted separately — these courts run differently and the fee is set after we see the citation |
| Multiple tickets from one stop | quoted after we see the citations |
| Criminal traffic charge (reckless driving, driving on a suspended/revoked license) | higher — these carry possible jail time and are quoted individually |
| CDL / commercial driver ticket | priced separately by court — from $750 |
These are attorney fees. Court costs and fines are separate and paid to the court, not to us. The $200 flat fee is for tickets at 201 Poplar — Memphis City Court and Shelby County General Sessions. Tickets in the Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, and Millington municipal courts are quoted separately, because those courts have their own procedures.
Do you even need a lawyer for a traffic ticket?
Not every ticket needs an attorney, and we will tell you honestly when yours does not. For many routine tickets, a quick phone call is enough to answer the question — and that call is free. A lawyer is usually worth it when a conviction would push you toward a license suspension on points, when your insurance would jump, when you are already on probation or a restricted license, when the charge is criminal rather than civil (reckless driving, suspended license), or when you hold a commercial license and cannot afford a conviction on your record. For a lot of drivers, none of that applies and paying the ticket is fine. For others, it matters a great deal — and we would rather tell you which you are than sell you something you do not need.
We appear in court for you
In most routine traffic matters we go to court on your behalf, so a ticket does not cost you a day of work, a trip downtown to 201 Poplar, or a morning in line. You pay one flat fee and we handle the appearance. If a case has to be contested to trial, you may need to appear — we will tell you up front if that is likely. Se habla Español.
Why just paying the ticket can cost more
Paying a traffic ticket is not the same as making it go away. Under Tennessee law, paying the fine is a guilty plea, and the conviction attaches to your record. That conviction can add points that build toward a suspension, raise your insurance premium for years, violate a condition of probation or a restricted license, and — for a commercial driver — count against your CDL where nothing can be masked. Before you pay, it is worth knowing what that conviction actually costs you, today and two years from now. See how we handle traffic cases or what other charges cost.
Talk to a traffic lawyer — free
Tell us what you were cited for and we will tell you the fee and whether you need us at all. Call the office at (901) 324-5000, or call or text the criminal line at 901-412-2973.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a traffic ticket lawyer cost in Memphis?
At Brooks Law Firm, a single non-commercial traffic ticket in Memphis City Court or Shelby County General Sessions at 201 Poplar is a flat fee of $200 per ticket. Tickets in the suburban municipal courts (Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington) are quoted separately. Criminal traffic charges like reckless driving or driving on a suspended license are quoted individually because they carry possible jail time, and CDL tickets are priced separately by court. Court costs and fines are separate.
Do I really need a lawyer for a traffic ticket?
Not always. For many routine tickets, paying is fine, and a free phone call is enough to tell you so. A lawyer is usually worth it when a conviction threatens a license suspension on points, a big insurance increase, a probation or restricted-license condition, a criminal traffic charge, or a commercial license.
Will I have to go to court for my traffic ticket?
In most routine matters, no — we appear in court on your behalf so you do not miss work. If a case has to be tried, you may need to appear, and we will tell you that up front.
Is it cheaper to just pay the ticket?
Often it is not. Paying the fine is a guilty plea and a conviction that can add points toward a suspension, raise your insurance for years, and violate probation or a restricted license. Knowing what the conviction costs long-term is worth a free call first.
What about a CDL or commercial ticket?
Those are handled and priced differently, because federal law prevents a CDL conviction from being masked. See our page on what a CDL ticket lawyer costs in Memphis.