| You have just been handed over a traffic ticket for | | | | Once you received the ticket you need to take care |
| violation of motor vehicle law, now what to do? You | | | | of your citation so that your driving privileges are not |
| definitely need to take care of the ticket so that your | | | | revoked. After you have calmed down and returned |
| driving license is not suspended and your driving | | | | home, the first two options that typically come to mind |
| privileges are not revoked. | | | | are to accept the charges and pay the fine or defend |
| The traffic ticket or citation is usually issued by a law | | | | the ticket in traffic court and thus set a court date. If it |
| enforcement officer or other authorized representative | | | | is just an ordinary ticket and there are unlikely to be |
| of the government. The first thing you need to do | | | | any serious consequences, it often makes sense to |
| after receiving ticket is to sign it and check for any | | | | pay the fine and get on with your life. |
| errors. A traffic ticket signed by officer is considered | | | | But if you decide to defend the ticket in traffic court |
| to be a sworn affidavit to the court that all things | | | | then you will have to talk to your local traffic lawyer |
| mentioned on the ticket are, in fact true. If there is any | | | | and set up a court date. A good traffic attorney who |
| wrong information on the ticket, it will go in your favor | | | | specializes in traffic law will simplify your situation and |
| when you file the case in traffic court. | | | | help you to get out of the ticket. |
| The most important thing to check is if the authorized | | | | Depending on the jurisdiction you might be required to |
| officer actually signed the ticket. If the police officer | | | | pay court costs. If you loose your case, then you will |
| forgets to sign the ticket, then the ticket is generally not | | | | have to pay the fine plus court costs and other fees. |
| considered as a legal ticket and you can move a | | | | Some states follow "point system" and assigned points |
| motion in the court to dismiss the case as the ticket | | | | for each traffic offense and the violation is put onto |
| was not signed by the officer and therefore, legally, | | | | your driving record. |
| there is no charge against you. | | | | |