Best Speeding & Traffic Ticket Lawyers in Muttenz

About Speeding & Traffic Ticket Law in Muttenz, Switzerland

Speeding and traffic ticket matters in Muttenz are governed primarily by Swiss federal law, applied locally by the authorities of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft. The core statutes are the Swiss Road Traffic Act, the Traffic Rules Ordinance, and the Ordinance on Fixed Penalties for Minor Traffic Offences. Enforcement in and around Muttenz is handled by the cantonal police and the cantonal road traffic authority. Minor speeding is typically handled with an order-fine payable by mail, while more serious cases can lead to a penal-order issued by the public prosecutor and separate administrative measures such as license-withdrawal. The most serious speeding cases fall under the so-called street-racing provisions and can result in criminal convictions, a long driving ban, and potential vehicle seizure.

Switzerland uses standard national speed limits unless posted otherwise: 50 kmh in built-up areas, 80 kmh outside built-up areas, 100 kmh on expressways, and 120 kmh on motorways. There are also 30 kmh zones and 20 kmh meeting zones in residential and mixed-use areas. Speed is monitored through fixed and mobile cameras as well as police patrols, and a technical tolerance is deducted from the measured speed before the legal assessment is made.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may benefit from legal help if your case involves any of the following situations: you received a penal-order rather than a simple order-fine, you face a potential license-withdrawal or already received a notice from the road traffic authority, your measured speed is close to a threshold that changes the legal consequences, you depend on your driving license for work and need to argue hardship or proportionality, you are a foreign driver or a cross-border commuter and want to understand how Swiss measures affect you, you suspect a measurement error or improper signage and wish to challenge the evidence, or you need help negotiating monetary penalties calculated as day-fines based on your income and personal circumstances. A lawyer can also help you observe strict deadlines, request the case file, prepare written submissions, and represent you in any hearings or appeals.

Local Laws Overview

Legal framework and authorities in Muttenz and Basel-Landschaft: the Swiss Road Traffic Act defines offences and penalties. The Traffic Rules Ordinance sets practical rules such as speed limits and obligations while driving. The fixed-penalty regime governs minor speeding where you receive an order-fine by mail. More serious violations are prosecuted by the cantonal public prosecutor via penal-order, and any license-related consequences are decided separately by the Basel-Landschaft road traffic authority. Local policing and initial ticketing are handled by the Cantonal Police of Basel-Landschaft.

Speed categories and consequences in broad terms: minor speeding within tight margins is handled with an order-fine and no criminal record entry, provided you pay on time. Medium to serious speeding can trigger a penal-order that may impose a monetary penalty calculated as day-fines, plus fees. In addition, the road traffic authority can issue a warning or a license-withdrawal, typically at least one month for a gross violation, longer for repeat offences or high-risk conduct. The most serious cases, often called street-racing offences, involve very high speeds such as at least 100 kmh in a 50 zone, at least 70 kmh in a 30 zone, at least 140 kmh in an 80 zone, at least 160 kmh in a 100 zone, or at least 200 kmh on a 120 motorway. These can lead to criminal convictions, imprisonment in severe cases, and a mandatory long driving ban that is often at least one year.

Procedure and deadlines: after a camera flash or roadside stop, you normally receive either an order-fine or, for more serious allegations, a penal-order from the public prosecutor. An order-fine can be paid to conclude the matter, or you can decline and request ordinary proceedings, which may involve higher costs if you lose. A penal-order can be challenged by filing an objection within a short deadline, typically 10 days from service. Separately, if the road traffic authority considers a license measure, it will send you a hearing letter inviting written comments. Its decision can be appealed to the competent cantonal court within the stated time limit. Missing these deadlines can severely limit your options.

Foreign drivers and out-of-canton matters: Switzerland applies traffic law to all drivers on its territory. Foreign drivers may be asked to provide a security deposit, and any driving ban applies within Switzerland. Administrative measures are recorded by the Swiss authority and can affect your ability to drive in Switzerland even if your home license remains valid elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I am flashed by a speed camera in Muttenz

You will usually receive a notice by mail. For minor speeding, it is an order-fine with a payment slip. For higher speeds, you may receive a penal-order from the public prosecutor. If the case suggests a possible license-withdrawal, expect a separate letter from the road traffic authority asking for your comments before it decides.

How is my speed calculated and is there any tolerance

Swiss authorities deduct a technical tolerance from the measured speed to account for device accuracy. The deduction amount depends on the measurement method and the speed range. The assessed speed after deduction is used to determine the legal consequences.

What is the difference between an order-fine and a penal-order

An order-fine is for minor offences and can be concluded by paying a fixed amount, with no entry in the criminal record. A penal-order is a criminal decision by the prosecutor for more serious cases and can impose day-fines or, in severe situations, imprisonment. A penal-order creates a criminal record entry depending on the sentence. You can object to a penal-order within a short deadline, which then leads to court proceedings.

Will I lose my driving license for speeding

It depends on the severity and your record. Minor speeding typically does not result in license-withdrawal. Gross violations often lead to at least a one-month withdrawal. Very serious speeds can lead to a long ban, often at least one year. The road traffic authority decides this separately from any criminal fine.

Can I challenge the ticket or measurement

Yes, you can. For a penal-order, you must file an objection within the stated deadline, typically 10 days. You can request the case file, check signage, measurement method, calibration, and identity of the driver. For administrative measures, you can submit written comments and later appeal the decision to the cantonal court.

What are day-fines and how are they calculated

Day-fines are monetary penalties where the court sets a number of daily units based on the seriousness of the offence and a daily amount based on your income and personal situation. The total is the number of units multiplied by the daily amount. This system aims to make penalties proportionate to financial capacity.

What if I ignore the ticket or miss the deadline

Ignoring an order-fine can lead to ordinary proceedings with higher costs. Ignoring a penal-order means it becomes final and enforceable. Ignoring a license-withdrawal procedure can result in a decision without your input, making it harder to argue necessity or hardship later. Always act within the stated timelines.

Will a speeding offence appear on my Swiss criminal record

Minor offences resolved by order-fine do not appear on the criminal record. Penal-order convictions can appear depending on the type and amount of penalty. Your lawyer can explain whether a specific outcome would be recorded and for how long.

I am a foreign driver. Does a Swiss driving ban affect me at home

A Swiss driving ban prevents you from driving in Switzerland. Your home country decides whether to take any additional action. You should also consider insurance and employer implications if you regularly drive in Switzerland.

Can I request leniency due to professional or personal hardship

You can present hardship arguments to the road traffic authority when it considers a license-withdrawal, and you can ask for scheduling that minimizes impact, such as aligning the ban with a period of leave. The authority must still apply the law and minimum durations, but a well-prepared submission can influence the length within the legal range and the timing.

Additional Resources

Cantonal Police Basel-Landschaft, Ordnungsbussenstelle.

Staatsanwaltschaft Basel-Landschaft, penal-order and criminal proceedings.

Motorfahrzeugkontrolle Basel-Landschaft, also called the Strassenverkehrsamt, for license measures and administrative decisions.

Federal Roads Office ASTRA, information on national road traffic regulations.

Swiss Road Traffic Act, Traffic Rules Ordinance, and Ordinance on Fixed Penalties for Minor Traffic Offences.

Basel-Landschaft Bar Association and the Swiss Bar Association for finding a traffic law lawyer.

Next Steps

Read the notice carefully and identify the type of procedure. If it is an order-fine, note the payment deadline. If it is a penal-order, note the objection deadline, usually 10 days from service. If you received a letter from the road traffic authority about a potential license-withdrawal, note the deadline to submit your comments.

Gather key documents and information. This includes the ticket, any photos, the penal-order, prior correspondence, your driving record if available, proof of employment and driving needs, and any evidence about signage or road conditions at the location in Muttenz.

Decide whether to pay or to contest. For minor order-fines, paying closes the case. If you wish to challenge the facts or the legal assessment, seek advice before declining an order-fine. For penal-orders, promptly file a written objection if you intend to contest, then request the case file for review.

Prepare for the administrative side. Even if you accept a penal-order, the road traffic authority may still impose a license-withdrawal. Submit a clear, factual statement addressing your driving history, professional reliance on a license, and any mitigating factors. Propose timing that reduces disruption if a withdrawal is inevitable.

Consult a traffic law lawyer. A local lawyer familiar with Basel-Landschaft practice can assess the evidence, explain likely outcomes, draft submissions, negotiate with the prosecutor, and represent you in any hearing or appeal. Early advice often preserves more options and can reduce overall costs.

Keep copies and respect all deadlines. Missing a deadline can forfeit rights to object or appeal. If you are unsure, contact the issuing office or legal counsel immediately to clarify your procedural status and next steps.