The short version
- Enter your ticket or charge details
- Get an instant quote
- Book and pay
- Your attorney handles the rest
- Your case is resolved
That’s it. The whole process takes just a few minutes to start, and your attorney takes it from there. Here is how each step works in detail.
Step 1: Enter your ticket or charge details
Visit the booking wizard on the OTR website or app. You will be asked to enter:
- What you are charged with (speeding, red light, DUI, etc.)
- The state and court where the case was filed
- Your court date (if you have one)
- A photo of your ticket, citation, or court document (you can skip this step if you don’t have a document handy)
The more details you provide, the faster your attorney can get started. But if you are missing information or you are unsure — enter what you know and move on.
Step 2: Get an instant quote
As soon as you enter your details, OTR's SmartMatch algorithm runs in the background. SmartMatch uses over 10 years of real case outcome data to identify the local attorney with the best track record for your specific charge, in your specific court.
The instant quote you see is that attorney's legal fee for your case. It is not an estimate — it is the actual price you will pay if you book.
At this point, the booking wizard also tells you whether your case is eligible for OTR's money-back guarantee — so you know exactly what you are getting before you pay.
💰 Quotes expire after 30 minutes because attorney availability can change.
If your quote expires, simply request a new one. The price may be different because SmartMatch may find a different best-available attorney.
See How SmartMatch finds the right attorney for your case.
Step 3: Book and pay
Once you are ready, complete your booking and pay the legal fee. You can also review OTR's cancellation policy — you have 1 business day to cancel for a full refund, no questions asked.
If you are a Fastlane member, your legal fee is waived for eligible traffic tickets at checkout. If you are a Fastlane Teen member, your first eligible ticket is free.
Step 4: Meet your attorney
As soon as you book, your matched attorney and law firm are revealed. You will see their name, their firm, and their contact information in your case dashboard.
From this point forward, you can communicate with your attorney and their staff through the case chat in the OTR app or website. This is the official communication channel for your case — all messages, documents, and updates flow through it.
✅ Tip:
If you have any additional details, documents, or questions for your attorney, send them in the case chat right away. The sooner your attorney has everything they need, the faster they can get started.
Step 5: Your attorney reviews and accepts
Your matched attorney reviews the details of your case and decides whether to accept it. More than 90% of cases are accepted by the first matched attorney.
If the attorney accepts, they begin working on your case immediately — filing their notice of appearance, requesting discovery, preparing your defense, and handling all the paperwork.
If the attorney declines (due to scheduling, capacity, or other reasons), SmartMatch automatically rematches you with the next best attorney. You do not need to do anything. For more on how this works, see What happens if an attorney declines your case.
Step 6: Your attorney handles everything
This is where OTR earns its name. Your attorney handles your case from start to finish:
- Court appearances
Your attorney appears in court on your behalf. In the vast majority of cases, you do not need to attend.
- Negotiations
Your attorney negotiates with prosecutors and judges to get the best possible outcome — dismissal, reduction, deferral, or traffic school.
- Paperwork
Any filings, motions, or documents required by the court are handled by your attorney.
- Updates
Your attorney keeps you informed through the case chat. You can check on your case anytime in the app.
✅ Your responsibility:
Respond promptly if your attorney has questions or needs additional information. Your active participation helps your attorney build the strongest possible defense.
Step 7: Your case is resolved
Once your case has been through the court process, your attorney notifies you of the outcome through the case chat. Common outcomes include:
- Case dismissed
The charge is dropped entirely.
- Charge reduced
The violation is reduced to a lesser offense or a non-moving violation, keeping points off your record.
- Deferral or traffic school
The court allows you to keep the ticket off your record by completing a program or staying ticket-free for a set period.
- Fine reduced
The fine amount is lowered, even if the charge remains.
In 97% of cases, OTR clients receive a favorable outcome. For eligible traffic ticket cases where the outcome is not favorable, OTR's money-back guarantee means you get your legal fee back.
How long does the process take?
The timeline depends on your court. Some cases are resolved in a few weeks. Others — especially in courts with heavy caseloads or mandatory waiting periods — can take several months. New York City is notorious for cases that can take a year or longer to fully resolve.
Here is the important thing to understand: while your case is ongoing, your record and insurance premiums are not affected. A ticket does not go on your driving record until the case is closed and a final judgment is entered. As long as your attorney is actively working the case, the ticket is in limbo — it has not been resolved, so it cannot be reported.
In fact, attorneys often use time as an intentional strategy. Delaying a case can work in your favor — witnesses become unavailable, officers transfer out of the jurisdiction, courts become more willing to negotiate, and prosecutors may offer better deals to clear their backlog. If your case is taking a while, that is not necessarily a bad sign. Your attorney may be using the timeline to your advantage.
What you can count on: your attorney is working on your case from the moment they accept it, and you can check the status anytime through the app. If there are delays, your attorney will let you know why.
What makes OTR different
You could hire a lawyer on your own. But here is what you would miss:
- SmartMatch
Data-driven matching based on 10+ years of real case outcomes. No guessing, no Googling.
- Money-back guarantee
If your eligible traffic ticket case is not resolved favorably, you get your legal fee back. No other legal service offers this.
- 1-business-day cancellation
Changed your mind? Cancel within 1 business day for a full refund.
- Nationwide coverage
All 50 states. Out-of-state tickets? Handled. No travel required.
- Support team behind you
OTR monitors every case. If something goes wrong — an unresponsive attorney, a declined case, or anything else — we step in.
You always have a team behind you.
Ready to get started?
Visit our booking wizard to enter your ticket or charge details. It takes just a few minutes, and your attorney handles the rest.
