A motorist may get a traffic ticket from local law enforcement or other road side officials if in fact they violate traffic laws. A ticket for a traffic violation can be a notice of some kind that usually comes in two forms. The first traffic violations may be for exceeding the speed limit and this is usually referred to as a moving violation. A parking ticket or citation or a notice of illegal parking are examples of non-moving violations.
A traffic ticket brings a deduction of points or a court fine of some kind and this represents a notice of a penalty in various jurisdictions. An owner of the vehicle or the motorist usually has to pay these penalties, and if they don’t pay these penalties they can be prosecuted or a civil recovery hearing could proceed if the penalties aren’t paid for the incurred traffic violations. In other jurisdictions, a legal determination is made of their guilt to be made by the court appointed judge after the citation and summons has been served to the motorist.
The local or county ordinances and state municipal laws usually determine the classifications of minor infractions or violations, criminal and civil charges. Most traffic laws are codified in the United States. The actual violation, classification of the traffic charge and the jurisdiction that it is located in always relates to the trial rules, punishments and the different proof standards.
Examples of Some Minor and Serious Traffic Ticket Violations
Some common traffic infractions for non-moving violations may be: 1) Seat belt and child restraint safety; 2) Improper or defective vehicle equipment; and 3) Insufficient insurance, registration and proof that you have a license to drive. In comparison, some examples of major infractions may be: 1) Willful disregard of public safety; 2) Death or serious bodily injury; or 3) Property damages. These traffic violators that are charged with serious offenses can serve jail time for a misdemeanor or felony traffic charge. A dallas traffic ticket lawyer may be able to explain some legal options that you may have available to you after you are given your traffic citation from local law enforcement.
Did You Know that You Could Contest a Traffic Ticket?
If a motorist receives a traffic ticket where they reside or while they are abroad traveling, they can actually contest the citation that they were given. A hearing can be scheduled in court by filing a proper motion with the assigned traffic court judge. The scheduled hearings are generally in front of a judge or magistrate by this is contingent upon whether it was at the state or local level. Witnesses and local law enforcement can be subpoenaed to the court hearing and sometimes the hearing dates can be adjourned.
The Department of Motor Vehicles always maintains a catalog of the motorists and their traffic citation convictions. Upon receiving the traffic citation, the violator is given several options that they can choose from. The motorist can choose to plead guilty, nolo contendere or not guilty.