Who is the plaintiff in a case for a traffic ticket?

Answer 1

The city or county or state. For instance, if I get ticketed in Washington, DC, then it is the Prosecutor of Washington DC as plaintiff and myself as defendant.

Answer 2

"Plaintiff" applies only in civil, not criminal cases.

That said, in MANY jurisdictions in the US, traffic offenses have been decriminalized.

That means that instead of a "fine" for speeding, there's a "fee", and instead of being criminally prosecuted for the offense of speeding, you are sued for the amount of the fee.

From the governments point of view this has a few advantages. First, of course, the burden of proof in a criminal case is "beyond reasonable doubt", while in a civil case it's only "by the preponderance of the evidence", so it's easier to get a conviction.

Secondly, in a civil case there's no 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination, so the Gov't can put you on the stand and say "Were you speeding?" and you have to answer. (If you lie, it's perjury, and you can go to jail for that)

Richard

Answer 3

the person who got the ticket is the defendant,.....the person prosecuting is the plaintiff

Answer 4

Actually, the structure is accuser versus accused. It is the city or county prosecutor against the defense since it is technically a criminal trial.

Answer 5

The government. Be it local, or state.