Did you know that only five percent of people with traffic tickets choose to contest the ticket?
If you’ve recently received a traffic violation ticket, it can seem overwhelming and scary. You may not understand what it means legally, especially if it’s the first one you’ve ever gotten.
Keep reading for a quick overview of traffic tickets, and three ways to handle them.
Table of Contents
Understanding Your Traffic Violation Ticket
A traffic ticket is a Class C misdemeanor. This means it is more serious than an infraction but less serious than everything else, including felonies.
The most common types of traffic violations are:
- speeding
- distracted driving
- driving without a license
- leaving the scene of an accident
- reckless driving
- running a red light or a stop sign
For these, you will have to pay fines and/or perform community service. They rarely result in jail time.
Although one of the least serious misdemeanors, a traffic violation still carries some financial and personal risks to you. This is especially true if you fail to handle it in a timely manner. So how can you minimize risk?
1. Pay Your Dues
The most simple action you can take is simply to pay the fine, perform the community service–whatever the law mandates. If you ignore the ticket, you face additional fines and even jail.
If you know you deserve the ticket, as 85 percent of people do, this is your best option. You don’t have to pay court costs.
You can even pay your fines online or by mail, instead of going into the Justice Court. This makes it very easy. Just make sure to do so before the appearance date on your ticket.
2. Fight The Charge
If you believe you are not guilty, you can attempt to dispute your ticket.
First, you must submit a plea of not guilty to your court before your appearance date. You will then receive a date where you can present your facts to a judge.
Make sure to bring evidence of your innocence, such as photos of obstructed road signs or videos from your dash camera.
Unless you are well versed in law, it is advisable to hire a traffic ticket lawyer. Make sure the attorney is local to you and specializes in traffic tickets. For example, if you live in Houston, kubosh.com has lawyers who specialize in reducing penalties and getting tickets dismissed.
3. Get A Deferred Disposition
This is an exciting option because, if completed properly, you can keep the ticket off your permanent record.
A deferred disposition is not a conviction. Nor is it a ruling of “Not Guilty”. It is more like a probation period, of 90 days to one year.
You must complete certain requirements during this probation. If you do, the charges are dropped. The requirements are set by the court, and usually involve paying a fine, and taking a defensive driving course.
To get a deferred disposition, you must plea guilty or no contest in court.
Handle It, Then Move On
A traffic violation ticket can be stressful, but definitely don’t ignore it. If you want to minimize risk, choose one of the three options outlined here. This will enable you to handle it quickly, so you can get back to enjoying your life.
If you found this brief guide helpful, be sure to read more of our articles on lifestyle and health.
