Did a police officer recently give you a traffic ticket in the Columbus metropolitan area for making an improper turn? If so, you should consult a Columbus traffic attorney to discuss your charge for allegedly making this improper turn.

The fact that you received a traffic citation for making an improper turn does not mean that you are guilty of this offense or that you will be convicted of this offense. Oftentimes, a traffic lawyer can resolve your charge for making an improper turn without your having to go to court. Depending on the facts of your case, this resolution may result in a reduced violation, a no-points violation, diversion (resulting in dismissal upon completion of a defensive driving course and paying court costs), or even a dismissal.

You may have the option of prepaying your traffic ticket. But the cost of prepaying a ticket may be greater than you think. Prepaying a ticket is the functional equivalent to a guilty plea, and you will be convicted of making an improper turn as charged in your ticket. Aside from the financial cost that must be paid to the court, a traffic conviction for a moving violation may result in points being added to your driving record, increased insurance premiums, and potential employment sanctions if you are required to drive a company vehicle for your employer. A conviction for making an improper turn may appear on background checks run by current or future employers or professional licensing authorities.

Making an improper turn ordinarily is a minor misdemeanor. But there are exceptions. Depending on the facts of your case and whether you have prior predicate traffic convictions, a minor misdemeanor offense can be elevated to a more serious offense that carries the possibility of community control sanctions and even jail time. Additionally, your license may be suspended if you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record within a two-year period. These are just a few considerations when deciding whether to hire a Columbus traffic lawyer to represent you in your ticket for making an improper turn.

For legal assistance with your Columbus traffic ticket for making an improper turn, contact us at 614.695.5000 or online. Below is summary of the traffic offense of making an improper turn, including the potential penalty and the points assessed if convicted of this offense.

Improper turn.

Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.36 prohibits the making of an improper turn. Generally, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection must adhere to the following rules:

• An approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

• At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line, and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection. After entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

• At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle. After entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane of the roadway being entered lawfully available to traffic moving in that lane.

These rules are subject to the placement of markers, buttons, or signs within or adjacent to an intersection to direct a different course than as specified above for vehicles turning at an intersection.

Failure to give a turn signal.

A related offense is the failure to give a turn signal under Section 4511.39. This offense is discussed in a separate blog post on this website.

Penalty for making an improper turn.

Making an improper turn ordinarily is a minor misdemeanor. The potential penalty for a minor misdemeanor traffic offense includes the imposition of a fine of up to $150, up to thirty hours of community service, and court costs.

But if, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, then each of the foregoing traffic violations is elevated to a fourth degree misdemeanor. The potential penalty for a fourth degree misdemeanor traffic infraction includes the imposition of a jail term of not more than thirty days, an additional or alternative community control sanction plus reimbursement for the cost of this sanction, a fine of up to $250, and court costs.

And if, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, then each of the foregoing traffic violations is elevated to a third degree misdemeanor. The penalty for a third degree misdemeanor traffic infraction includes the potential imposition of a jail term of not more than sixty days, an additional or alternative community control sanction plus reimbursement for the cost of this sanction, a fine of up to $500, and court costs.

Community control sanctions generally can include residential placement, house arrest, drug/alcohol testing and treatment, specified education and training, community service, curfew, probation, etc. Under certain circumstances, the court also may order an offender to pay restitution to any identifiable victim who incurred economic loss as a result of the violation.

Points assessed for making an improper turn.

A conviction on a traffic ticket for making an improper turn at an intersection carries 2 points in Ohio on an offender’s driving record. For more information on how the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) processes points for moving violations and the substantial penalty for excessive points accumulation, press Ohio BMV Points System.

Consult a Columbus lawyer on your traffic citation for making an improper turn.

Frequently a lawyer can appear in court and resolve a traffic case in the client’s absence, provided both the court and the prosecutor agree. This saves the client the aggravation of taking time off from work, fighting traffic to get to court on time, waiting for potentially hours for the case to be called, standing in long lines, and potentially having to do it all over again if the case is continued.

If you are seeking a traffic lawyer, contact us at 614.695.5000 or online. We offer legal representation to drivers charged with traffic tickets in the Columbus metropolitan area, including Franklin County Municipal Court, Bexley Mayor’s Court, Canal Winchester Mayor’s Court, Dublin Mayor’s Court, Gahanna Mayor’s Court, Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court, Granville Mayor’s Court, Grove City Mayor’s Court, Hilliard Mayor’s Court, New Albany Mayor’s Court, Obetz Mayor’s Court, Pataskala Mayor’s Court, Pickerington Mayor’s Court, Reynoldsburg Mayor’s Court, Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court, Westerville Mayor’s Court, Whitehall Mayor’s Court and Worthington Mayor’s Court.

We also offer legal representation to drivers charged with traffic tickets in other courts near the Columbus metropolitan area, including Circleville Municipal Court (Pickaway County), Delaware County Municipal Court, Fairfield County Municipal Court, Licking County Municipal Court, Marysville Municipal Court (Union County), and Madison County Municipal Court.