Welcome to the Traffic Practice Area at Jason J. Chong Law Firm
Traffic violations in California are more than just an inconvenience, they can carry serious legal, financial, and personal consequences. Even a seemingly minor ticket can lead to costly fines, increased insurance premiums, and points on your driving record that may ultimately result in a suspended license. For commercial drivers, a single violation could jeopardize their entire livelihood.
At The Chong Firm, we handle the full spectrum of traffic offenses, aggressively protecting your rights, driving privileges, and financial well-being.
Common Traffic Crimes/Tickets:
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Speeding Tickets:
Speeding is one of the most common traffic offenses, which can lead to fines, points on your driving record, and increased insurance premiums. -
Reckless Driving:
Reckless driving involves operating a vehicle with a blatant disregard for the safety of others on the road and can result in severe penalties. -
Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
DUI offenses occur when a driver operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, leading to criminal charges and potential license suspension. -
Hit and Run:
Leaving the scene of an accident without providing necessary information is a serious offense that can result in criminal charges and civil liabilities. -
Red Light Violations:
Running a red light or failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign can lead to fines and points on your driving record. -
Driving with a Suspended License:
Operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license may result in further suspension, fines, and even jail time.
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Driving without Insurance:
Failing to maintain valid auto insurance can lead to fines and potential license suspension. -
Street Racing:
Engaging in illegal street racing can result in criminal charges, impoundment of your vehicle, and license suspension. -
Failure to Yield:
Not yielding the right of way when required can lead to accidents and traffic violations. -
Improper Lane Changes:
Making unsafe lane changes can result in fines and points on your driving record. -
Cell Phone Use While Driving:
Using a cellphone without a hands-free device while driving is prohibited and can result in fines. -
Driving with Expired Registration:
Operating a vehicle with expired registration tags may lead to fines and penalties.
Speeding Tickets
While a speeding ticket might seem routine, it can have serious long-term impacts. California’s point system means each violation puts you closer to a license suspension, and insurance companies use these points to justify steep rate increases for years. For higher speeds or repeat offenses, the penalties climb, and you could even face reckless driving charges. At The Chong Firm, we examine the calibration and use of radar or laser devices, the officer’s positioning, and other procedural defenses that can lead to reduced charges or outright dismissals.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving isn’t just a simple ticket, it’s a misdemeanor criminal charge under California Vehicle Code §23103, carrying penalties of up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000, along with two points on your license. The law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of others, a vague standard that gives prosecutors wide latitude. A conviction can haunt your record, hurt your insurance for years, and impact your employment—especially for jobs that involve driving. The Chong Firm fights to get reckless charges reduced or dismissed to protect your record and keep you out of jail.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
DUI is among the most aggressively prosecuted traffic offenses in California. A first offense can mean thousands in fines, a license suspension of 6 months or more, mandatory DUI classes, increased insurance costs that last for a decade, and possible jail time. If you have prior DUIs or aggravating circumstances like high BAC, accidents, or a minor in the car, penalties escalate quickly. At The Chong Firm, we dig deep, scrutinizing the legality of the traffic stop, the administration of field sobriety and chemical tests, and chain of custody issues, to build a powerful defense. You can’t afford to face a DUI alone. Let us protect your record, your freedom, and your future.
Hit and Run
California law (Vehicle Code §20002 and §20001) imposes harsh penalties for leaving the scene of an accident, whether it involves property damage or injuries. A misdemeanor hit and run can lead to fines, restitution, probation, and jail time. If someone is injured, it may be charged as a felony, exposing you to state prison. Even beyond criminal penalties, a hit and run conviction results in automatic license suspension and can destroy your insurance standing. We aggressively work to mitigate these consequences, often resolving cases through civil compromises or negotiations to avoid criminal records.
Red Light and Stop Sign Violations
Running a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign isn’t just a ticket, it puts two points on your record and can push you toward a negligent operator suspension if combined with other infractions. With modern automated red-light cameras, many drivers pay fines they might not actually owe. At The Chong Firm, we know how to challenge these tickets, whether by questioning photo calibration, identifying unclear signage, or raising technical legal defenses
Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License
Operating a vehicle when your license is suspended or revoked is a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code §14601, punishable by up to six months in jail, hefty fines, and an extended suspension period. Prosecutors often take a hard line on these cases, seeing them as disrespect for the law. We work to challenge the underlying suspension or negotiate alternative resolutions to avoid further license damage and criminal records.
Driving without Insurance
California requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, and failing to do so can result in immediate license suspension and large fines. If you’re involved in an accident without insurance, you could also be personally responsible for thousands in damages. The Chong Firm intervenes early to protect your license and minimize financial fallout.
Street Racing
Street racing charges (Vehicle Code §23109) are aggressively pursued in California, often involving vehicle impoundment for 30 days, mandatory license suspensions, large fines, probation, and even jail. A conviction also brands you with a record that follows you for life. We fight these charges by scrutinizing the evidence, police dash cams, witness accounts, and whether the alleged conduct even met the statutory definition of racing.
Failure to Yield
Failing to yield can result in collisions that expose you to both traffic tickets and civil liability. Insurance companies may use these tickets to justify raising your rates, and too many points mean license suspensions. We fight to keep these violations off your record through careful investigation and negotiation.
Improper Lane Changes
Unsafe lane changes are a favorite ticket for traffic officers but often rely on subjective judgment. These carry points and can compound with other violations to threaten your driving privileges. We challenge the circumstances of the stop, the officer’s perspective, and present your side effectively to the court.
Cell Phone Use While Driving
California prohibits handheld phone use while driving (Vehicle Code §23123), and violations carry fines that quickly multiply with fees. For CDL holders, such tickets are particularly dangerous, risking disqualification. At The Chong Firm, we look for technical defenses and negotiation options to keep these off your record.
Driving with Expired Registration
Driving with expired tags is more serious than many realize. It can lead to fines, potential towing of your vehicle, and complications if you’re involved in an accident. We help clients resolve these tickets to minimize penalties and prevent escalating consequences.
Why You Need The Chong Firm on Your Side
Don’t make the mistake of thinking traffic charges are minor. They can impact your freedom, finances, ability to work, and future insurance costs for years to come. At The Chong Firm, we don’t just handle tickets, we build strategic, tailored defenses that give you the best chance to avoid convictions, keep your record clean, and protect your livelihood.
We appear in court on your behalf whenever possible so you can keep living your life without interruption. From negotiating with prosecutors to challenging faulty police procedures, we use every legal tool to secure the best outcome.
Your license is your lifeline. Don’t risk it by going it alone. Let The Chong Firm stand up for you.
PROTECT AND PRESERVE
Your lawyers at the Chong Firm fearlessly fight to protect your rights and preserve your freedom, every step of the way.
- Ready to Fight
- Driven to Serve
- Proven Results
Attorney Jason J. Chong is licensed to practice law in all state courts in California, all federal district courts for the 9th circuit court of appeals, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.
Attorney Chong has successfully tried many cases as both a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. He knows what it takes to get the best results for your individual case, from all sides.
A. It’s common for family or friends to reach out on behalf of loved ones who are confronted with criminal charges. At Jason J. Chong Law Firm, we welcome you to contact us for a free consultation to help you understand potential courses of action, and we can take the lead on building a strong case if your loved one decides to retain our services.
A. If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And property damages
*If you have lost a loved one, you may also be eligible to receive compensation for loss of consortium. In some extreme cases, you may also be able to receive compensation for punitive damages (damages intended to punish the responsible party for gross negligence).
A. In general, an insurance adjuster will calculate the amount of compensation they believe you deserve based on the out-of-pocket expenses your injury required you to pay. They will then multiply that dollar amount by a certain number based on how extreme they believe your injuries were, in order to determine what compensation you deserve for any non-monetary damages (i.e. pain and suffering).
However, insurance companies will often try to pay you less than the amount you deserve. In order to ensure you are being offered a fair settlement, you should always consult with a professional California personal injury lawyer.
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