How to deal with a traffic ticket
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The time comes for most of us when we get our first ticket...........
So you were pulled over....
You pulled to the side of the road and you were given a ticket. You signed it. This only means you agree to appear in court, not that you are pleading guilty.
Now what?
There are lots of things you can get ticketed for, but two types of tickets: infractions and misdemeanors.
- Infractions are things like speeding, not stopping at a stop sign...stuff like that. You ussually will get a ticket and have to go to court.
- Misdemeanors are more serious: driving without a license, driving under the influence, drag racing or being reckless. You can face jail time and may need to get a lawyer to help you.
You will have to go to court for a hearing if you get a ticket, though some counties allow you to pay your ticket without having to go to court.
If you have committed an infraction you can do three things when you show up for your hearing:
- Pay the ticket there and learn to not do that again!
- Ask for a trial: you might want a lawyer if you have a serious charge.
- Ask to go to traffic school: you plead guilty, go to school (which you have to pay for), and avoid points on your license. (Points add up toward a total where you can get your license taken away from you.)
Always be courteous to the judge and court staff. It goes a long way.
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