What should I do when I get a ticket?
- The first thing you should do is when the officer is walking up to your car, make sure that your hands were on steering wheel where the officer can see them
- Roll your window down before the officer gets there
- If you're stopped at night, make sure that your interior light is on so the officer can see into your vehicle
- Have your drivers license and vehicle registration ready
If the officer asks
Do you know why I stopped you?
Just Say
No Officer, I Don't
If the officer told you why he stopped you, now is not the time to argue.
- It is imperative that you are polite and cooperative with the police officer - your cooperation or lack there of will be brought up in court.
- If the officer gives you one of the hand written tickets, be sure to sign the ticket.
- Just signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt, it is just acknowledgment that you received the ticket.
If you don't sign the ticket, the officer can arrest you!
YOU ONLY HAVE 30 DAYS TO COMPLY WITH THE TICKET
Here are your options to comply:
- Pay the ticket
- Request a disposition hearing
- Request a Trial
For more information about your choices, read this post.
* 30 days to comply if you receive what is called a "minor traffic ticket" (jail is not a potential penalty). If you are charged with "serious traffic" offense(s), you must appear for trial, and a trial date is automatically set.
If you would like Scott to take a look at your case, complete the Traffic Ticket Evaluation Form.
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