Many people often talk about the time they had to go to court for a ticket. They may have been speeding down the highway or violating another traffic law that wound up earning them a citation from the highway patrol. Though this seems like a standard that goes hand-in-hand with getting a ticket, it is in no way required.
There are many reasons why one would find themselves going to court for traffic citations, one of the primary ones being to contest it. If you were recently ticketed while driving, you would not likely be obligated to appear in court. However, according to the experts at Ellis Injury Law, certain situations may present exceptions to this general rule.
What to Know About Appearing in Court After Receiving a Traffic Ticket
Most traffic citations do not require an appearance in court by the persecuted driver. Offenses such as running a red light or driving only a few miles over the speed limit can easily be resolved by simply paying the fee issued to you. Understand, however, that paying such fees is a legal admission of guilt. If you do not believe that you were appropriately charged, or that you were at fault at all, then you may not want to issue this payment. You may, instead, wish to contest it. In this case, you will need to take the matter to court.
One such circumstance in which this alternative may prove to be much more beneficial for you is when the officer fails to appear at your hearing. This is a surprisingly common occurrence, one that allows the cited driver to be off the hook entirely. There is no admission of fault necessary, nor is there a need to pay the citation. The entire matter goes away as if it never existed. However, you cannot depend on this happening to you if you were to address your traffic ticket in court.
A court appearance will typically result in one of the following resolutions:
- You may be held to a cheaper fine.
- The citation may be dismissed.
- You may be given a budget-friendly payment plan.
In some states, such as California, you will be allowed to reduce the points on your driving record by enrolling in traffic school. State residents are usually able to attend such programs at least once every 18 months for citations.
Circumstances that Require a Court Appearance
There are some situations in which the opportunity to show up in court will not be determined by you. For instance, if you were guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony, such as those listed below, you will be legally mandated to attend a hearing:
- Exceeding the speed limit by 25 miles or more
- Hit-and-run car accident
- Causing serious injury or death as a negligent driver
- Reckless driving
- Driving with a suspended license
In all such circumstances, it is critical that you have the protection of a car accident lawyer. If you believe that you have been wrongfully accused of a traffic infraction, or wish to dispute your citation for other reasons, you need the assistance of a car accident lawyer. They will protect you from devastating legal and financial hardship by proving your innocence or having the consequences reduced if you are found liable. Get in touch with a lawyer today to improve your ability to avoid a steep traffic ticket fee.
