Hello, I've recently gotten a speeding ticket in Palo Alto, CA. The "courtesy notice" says that a court appearance is mandatory and that I need to schedule an arraignment or trial. The most likely reason for this is because of points I already have on my license. What does "arraignment" and "trial" mean in traffic court? And, if convicted, whats the worst that could happen? No DUIs or misdemeanors on my record yet, just infractions.
Thanks in advance.
2006-07-19 14:47:50 · 14 answers · asked by ha_lynn2002 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Arraignment means that the charge(s) will be formally read to you in open court, and you will have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty.
If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule a trial to determine your guilt or innocence. If you plead guilty, the court will sentence you.
As you already have "points" on your license - and when you say points, I assume you mean you've had other speeding tickets (or is it worse? Leaving the scene of an accident? Hit and run?) - the court will take a look at suspending your license, fining you, restricting your driving, or, if you're a habitual motor vehicle offender, sending you to prison.
2006-07-19 14:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by Stuart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Clara County Traffic Court
2016-12-10 11:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by scacchetti 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Clara Traffic Court
2016-10-03 07:14:31 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got the same thing. It just means you need to go and take care of it at a certain time.. and unless you have killed someone or they want you for another reason, I think you're safe.
The first speeding ticket I got they sent me all of those notices. I went to the court house in the city of which I got it in (in Ohio, I live in WV).. and the guy flirted w/me, dropped the speeding ticket, just charged me $45 for court costs and told me that I could use him as a reference for school/work. Odd hm?
2006-07-19 14:51:06 · answer #4 · answered by PlasticTrees 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at arraignment you would plead ( normally guity or nolo) if you were going to plead not guilty, normally they allow you to miss the arrangment and merely schedule a trial.
Well depends on the court, but a speeding ticket is normally merely a fine, and they add points, if the points go over the max with other ones on records, your licence can be suspended.
So worst, a fine, and a licence suspension. ( depends on total points)
2006-07-19 15:59:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speeding tickets in california are usally an excuse to get money from you thru fines (best to pay them), then to keep your insurance rates down, traffic school (choose a 'cheap' one) However, you should make this date, chances are the officer won't show and it gets thrown out.
One more thing, SLOW DOWN!!!
2006-07-19 14:51:49 · answer #6 · answered by walterhawthorneiii 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you dont go youll have a warrant put out for your arrest and
they will take your license . then the next infraction you get youll be sitting in a small room with two burly men who think you have a "purty mouth"
2006-07-19 14:56:46 · answer #7 · answered by rsist34 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The WORST case is either your license gets suspended or you go to jail, but I don't think so. You'll probably just get a fine, maybe community service.
2006-07-19 14:49:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably will be ordered to go to "driver improvement school" and pay a fine. People don;t go to jail for just speeding tickets (unless you havent paid yours )
2006-07-19 14:59:01 · answer #9 · answered by cognitively_dislocated 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to contact your local authorities for this question.
traffic laws vary from state to state. from THIS layperson's perspective you're either looking at serious fines, suspended licence or jail time or all three, so go call the courthouse!
2006-07-19 14:53:16 · answer #10 · answered by blkrose65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋