What Are My Options After Getting a Traffic Ticket?
Speeding is not hard to do — we all know this. Some people get caught up in the moment, driving along an open road, listening to their favorite song, and do not even realize they are speeding. Others know that they are speeding and do it intentionally because they are in a rush or they do not care. Whatever the reason, getting pulled over and being issued a ticket can be a situation you do not want to deal with. If you were speeding over the legal limit, you could even face criminal charges. When an officer issues you a ticket, they must indicate whether or not you must appear in court. If you are not required to make a court appearance, you have three options to reconcile the ticket. Before choosing that option, it is best to consult with a traffic ticket attorney.
Plead Guilty and Pay the Fine
For many people, this is the option they choose because they do not realize they have another choice. It is almost never advised just to accept the charge and pay the fine. If you do, the offense will count as a conviction on your driving record and will add points to your driver’s license. This can be problematic if you already have points on your license.
Plead Guilty and Request Court Supervision
Another option is to plead guilty but request court supervision instead of receiving a conviction. If you choose to ask for court supervision, you will be required to plead guilty, you will have to pay a higher fine and you will also have to complete online traffic safety school, which is typically around four hours. Receiving court supervision will not count as a conviction on your record, although you are not guaranteed to get it when you ask for it.
Plead Not Guilty and Request a Trial
If you truly believe you are not guilty of the ticket that was issued to you, you can plead not guilty and request to have a trial held. This can also be beneficial if you face criminal charges or a driver’s license suspension because of the ticket. If you choose to request a trial, you should most definitely have a traffic ticket attorney by your side in court. They can help negotiate with the judge and the prosecutor on your behalf in order to get you the best sentence possible for your situation. In some cases, your attorney may even be able to have your ticket dismissed.
Contact a Traffic Violations Law Firm Today
To find out what legal options there are to fight a traffic violation you have been issued, call an experienced attorney, like a New Jersey traffic ticket attorney from a law firm like Rispoli & Borneo P.C.