Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Court
Posted by: info | January 28, 2007
Most people who get a traffic ticket for speeding, turn signal, insurance, seat belt or anything related to driving don’t know the options of the court system or how to contest it properly.
A lot of drivers just go down to the court house and pay the ticket off before or on their set court date. As drivers we need to be informed how the court system works and take advantage of what the courts have to offer for traffic tickets. Once you learn the ins and outs of the court systems you can save time, keep your driving record clean and save money on your auto insurance. In general you have three ways to plea in court. Guilty, no contest or not guilty.
Before making a plea, or if you don’t want to go to court call the court house and ask them about your options. They can tell you ways to keep the ticket off your driving record if you pay in full or explain your payment options if any they offer. They may offer you a defensive driving course or deferred judification. Either way once the ticket and the fees are paid in full and the class or deferred time is completed the ticket will done and kept off your driving record. In short the details of the plea options are as follows.
Guilty: If you plea guilty you are waving your right to a trial and are accepting guilt for the offense. This is probably the fastest way through the court system. The judge may offer you a payment plan for the ticket if you ask for it. This will allow you more time to pay off the fines. Also remember to call ahead when pleading guilty to find out your options about keeping your driving record clean. You may not have this option if you can’t pay the fine in full.
No Contest: Pleading no contest is very similar to a guilty plea. However, you are not pleading to guilt. You are simply waving your right to a trial and agree to pay the fines or fees of the offense. You may also ask the judge if they have a payment plan if needed. As with pleading guilty you need to call ahead to find out your options about keeping your driving record clean.
Not Guilty: When you plead not guilty you are requesting this offense to go to court. You can have the judge hear your case or you may request the case to go in front of a jury. You can hire an attorney or make your case on your own. The district attorney or assistant district attorney along with you will select the members of the jury. There will be a panel of jurors and you will have a chance to get in front of them along with the D.A. and select the amount required for your trial. You will have to get your case and all your facts in order to prove your innocence. It will be your word or actions against the police officer who ticketed you. By going to trial you risk facing the maximum fine by law, plus court cost and the ticket may end up going on your driving record. This entire process is the longest of the three options and can sometimes take months to complete. You should not plead not guilty if you committed the crime. This can take up a lot of the courts time and keep other more dangerous criminals on the street. The courts are very busy and we are very fortunate to have the best court system in the world so don’t abuse it. Please use this option only if you believe you are not guilty of the offense.
In closing one of the most important parts about this article is keeping the ticket off your driving record. Your auto insurance bill may go up $40 or more for three years if the traffic ticket goes on your driving record. The courts have made it easy for drivers. They offer inexpensive plans for us to use in order to keep tickets off our driving record. All you have to do is ask and enroll.
Posted in: Insurance, General |
5 Responses to “Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Court”
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June 6th, 2007 at
Excellent information. Too bad I didn’t read this before I got my ticket. My insurance has went up $34 a month. The insurance company said this will stay on my record for 3 years.
June 29th, 2007 at
dwi attorney…
Houston, Texas DWI Attorney Lawyer. I can help in court.
July 4th, 2007 at
$40!!!! How do you figure! My ticket cost me an additional $90 a month. I wish that this ticket didn’t go on my record.
July 5th, 2007 at
Tickets are a big hassle and cost too mcuh money.
September 17th, 2007 at
I love this article. It worked brilliantly at court. THANKS!!!!!!!