What to do in traffic court?

Question

I have to go to traffic court today due to a ticket I got back in December for going through a stop sign. (I totally paused, but that’s not the issue.)

I’m just not sure what’s the best option for when I go there. Is it better to plead guilty or not guilty? Do I have to talk in front of a whole room of people? (I’m probably freaking out about this more than I probably should. :))

**I WOULD have paid this fine in full when I first got it but it was for $150 and a week before Christmas, so I didn't have any extra money to pay the ticket right then.

Answer 1

Let me add one thing to the other answers. If you have a good driving record, plead guilty and ask for a deferred sentence. A deferred sentence disappears after roughly 6 months (could be less with the judge you have) and doesn't get reported to your state motor vehicle department. Therefore, it does not ever appear on your driving record. It is as though the offense never occured. If the officer appears, ask him if he will agree to it. He'll probably say "yes", but ask if anyway if he refuses. You never get anything in life without asking for it.

Answer 2

Plead no-contest (which is the same as guilty) and pay the fine. There will be additional court costs since you didn't have the money in December. There will be a whole room full of people, but no one will really be paying attention to you so don't feel uncomfortable.

Oh...and the sign didn't say "pause," it said STOP.

Answer 3

Well you could've avoided all the drama by just sending in the fine and being done with it.
Traffic court is insanely boring. This in light get there a little early and watch each case paying close attention to others charged with the same thing as you.
This will clue you in on how to behave when it's your turn. If they have video of you running the stop then guilty is all you can say.
You could say guilty with an explanation and then tell the judge some excuse, but this usually annoys the judge more than it helps.
Good luck.

Answer 4

There are a lot of questions I could ask in order to give you a better answer...but here's the long and short of it...

If you have the option to go to traffic school, it is probably in your best interest to do that. If you have a witness of some sort that says you stopped at the stop sign, then perhaps you may want to plead not guilty.

However, I think you probably answered your own question when you said, "I totally paused." Did you slow, pause, and look both ways as you rolled through the intersection? Or did you come to a complete stop, where your wheels actually stopped moving, look to make sure it is clear to proceed, then go? You can probably answer your own question here as to what you should do.

Answer 5

Yikes that doesn't leave much time. I hope you have more than your word against the officer's as the courts have a nasty habit of assuming cops never lie (yeah, right). A witness is always good.

Most judges and court staff are quite understanding of unrepresented defendants and will help ensure you understand what you have to do and when (after all, it keeps their business moving along). So don't sweat not knowing what to do, and don't be afraid to ask. Some courts even have "Friends of the Court" - volunteers who help people who aren't sure what to do.

Yes, if you're defending yourself you'll need to speak to the court and probably be sworn. The prosecutor will also have the right to question you. If you're nervous, address the judge directly so you don't have to look at the courtroom. But believe me, they're more interested in when their case will be called than in anything you have to say.

Good luck! I'd have offered more advice (like go down on a day your case isn't on and just sit and watch) if we had more time!

Maybe post here and let us know how you got on :-)

Answer 6

The officer did not shrink you a destroy because you've been going way too quick. That the different automobiles were doing an similar would not make what you probably did any a lot less unlawful. you'd be not able to strive against this fee ticket if the officer has adequate evidence, together with the interpreting on the radar gun, or his personal testimony. only because you received in the previous does no longer recommend you'll win this time. end dashing. perhaps you receives fortunate and the officer received't seem. otherwise, you're screwed, yet a minimum of you screwed your self.

Answer 7

Yes, you will have to speak in front of group of people.

I hope you have learned something from this experience.

Your best bet is if the cop doesnt show up...if you can get a continuance, or anything like that, do it.

If the cop shows up, you are fried. I have tried asking to pay the fine, but not getting the points on the liscence, but they judges just dont do that anymore.

If you live in a state where you can go to traffic school, do it...nothing is as bad as getting points because your insurance will get jacked up

Answer 8

Plead guilty and get it over with. Believe me, waiting to go to court is the worst feeling. Once its over you know where you stand. At the end of the day, its only a few points & a fine.