Traffic tickets have underlying penalties besides the fine, which are usually on the citation. Your driver’s license may be revoked or suspended, depending on the severity of the charge and whether it is or is not your first time to commit the violation. Depending on the state where the supposed violation occurred, your driving record points might be hurt. Your car insurance rates might also increase.

Paying the traffic ticket

If you pay the traffic ticket, it would mean you admit to the violation and that you accept any consequences indicated thereafter. This way, you don’t have to appear in any court hearing. You simply have to follow the instruction on your citation to pay the fine. You can pay either via mail or online, but you have to pay your fine before the due date of your ticket.

If you fail to pay on time, you will be fined with bigger amount. You could even lose your driving privileges and you might get arrested.

Fighting citations

If you opt to plea not guilty, then it means you challenge the charges against you in court. You must be able to notify the presiding court on time before the due date of your traffic ticket.

Courts usually require you to appear in court personally if you plea not guilty. There are other courts that allow you to have the trial through mail. To be sure about whether you must appear on court or not, it would be best to check your traffic ticket citation. You can contact the court if you have any questions about the traffic ticket.

Fight or fold?

The big question is – are you going to fight or to fold? There are traffic tickets that would be better off paid for, while there are others that should be challenged in court.

But, how do you decide whether that ticket is worth your time going to court or not?

Here are some questions you should ask yourself when deciding to fight or fold:

  • Did vehicles or other objects obstruct the officer’s view when the incident occurred? If so, then you have a fighting chance of proving that the officer did not see clearly the offense made.
  • Was the officer able to stop the right car? Under heavy traffic and other road obstructions, the officer may easily stop another identical car. If so, you can tell the judge that the officer stopped the wrong car.
  • Where you driving safely even though you slightly went pass the speed limit? There are states that allow you to go over the speed limit just a little bit as long as you were driving under safe conditions.
  • Did the officer properly apprehend you? If the officer did not use VASCAR, laser or radar to determine your speed, then you can contest the citation in court.
  • Is there a legal defensive loophole for the violation you were charged with? For example, you can drive slowly in the left lane if you are planning to turn left.
Related Posts
How to check your landlord?
Just as the landlord screens the tenants, you should also check out your landlord. Your landlord wants to know if you are diligent in paying the rent. You should also ...
READ MORE
Open container violation
While driving your car, you are not allowed to have any alcohol containers, such as bottles and cans, that have been opened, having broken seal, nor had its content partially ...
READ MORE
Can legal drugs cause DUI DWI arrest?
DUI DWI arrests are usually due to the use of alcohol as well as illegal drugs. Not everybody knows that legal drugs, prescription medicines and other over the counter drugs can ...
READ MORE
Real estate property purchasing option?
When you are investing on a real estate property, you can choose to buy through real estate investment trust (REIT), limited liability company (LLC) or under your own name. Choosing ...
READ MORE
How landlords can check a tenant’s credit report?
There are private credits reporting agencies that collect credit files and other consumer information and sell them. Landlords can get the credit report of their tenants through these agencies. Landlords ...
READ MORE
Legal help while selling your home
Selling a home can bring up a lot of issues and could easily become a maze of processes. To make sure that you get your home’s worth, it would be ...
READ MORE
Expenses in a DUI case
DUI case or Intoxicated driving is the act of working or generating an automobile while under the impact of liquor or medication to the level that psychological and engine skills ...
READ MORE
Basic landlord laws in US
If you're a landlord and you want to protect your real estate investment, you need to have the knowledge that relates to all the state statutory and common laws governing ...
READ MORE
How to deal with your business debts
Around 90 percent of businesses fail before they even reach ten years. And in this challenging economy, it would be normal if your business would dwindle down to failure. This ...
READ MORE
Difference Between DUI and DWI?
Within the field of regulation, there's much concentration on DUI and DWI prosecutions. With the amazing data for both in Texas, it is incredibly essential to become informed on the ...
READ MORE
How to check your landlord?
Open container violation
Can legal drugs cause DUI DWI arrest?
Real estate property purchasing option?
How landlords can check a tenant’s credit report?
Legal help while selling your home
Expenses in a DUI case
Basic landlord laws in US
How to deal with your business debts
Difference Between DUI and DWI?