Traffic Court Procedures
Traffic court works in a very similar way to a standard criminal court. The biggest difference is that a traffic court is often handled by a junior judge or magistrate. Often, court dates will be held only one or two days per week and may be rescheduled based upon whether or not the courtroom is needed by another department.
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After Getting A Ticket
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When you get a traffic citation, you have two options. You can either send in your payment, thus admitting you were at fault, and the infraction goes on your driving record. However, in some cases, you may want to contest the ticket if you don't feel it was deserved. There are very specific methods used to contest the ticket, and they must be followed if you have any hope of winning your argument.
Where To Go
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When you get to the courthouse, there information desk or window can direct you to traffic court. Typically, these offenses are handled in a specific courtroom, where it's a bit less formal than a typical criminal court case. The traffic court is often held only on certain days, so make sure that you call in advance of your court date so you know that the date on the ticket is correct. If you want to pay the fine, go directly to the Clerk of Court's office and pay it. It's only if you are ordered to appear for a serious infraction, or if you want to dispute your ticket, that you'll need to enter the courtroom.
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In The Courtroom
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If you decide to dispute the ticket, your name will be called sometime during the day. You'll be expected to take the oath that you'll be telling the truth, and it's important that you do so. If you lie, that's perjury, and it carries serious jail time. Once you are sworn in, the judge will ask you if the terms of the ticket are correct, and you can agree or disagree. If you please guilty or no contest, a fine will be issued. If you plead not guilty, a court date will be set and you are required to attend.
Contesting A Ticket
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If you plead your case, the judge will ask you for your side of the story. Once you're done, the police officer who issued the ticket will be asked to give his side. Often, the police officer involved doesn't appear, and the ticket will be dismissed. If this happens, count yourself lucky. However, for serious infractions, the officer will nearly always be there, and you'll be expected to prove why your story is the truth. If you ran a stop sign, provide pictures showing that the sign was obscured by greenery. If it's a speeding infraction, ask to see the maintenance logs for the speed-measuring device. The court is used to this, and will happily oblige you. It's important that you're patient, however, as getting irritated or annoying the judge is not recommended. If you do that, a potential fine may increase or you could be held for contempt of court.
Paying the Fine
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In cases where you're obviously at fault, you'll be expected to pay the original fine, as well as the court costs required to have your case heard. Court costs vary from town to town. The Clerk of Courts will be the person who accepts your payment. Never offer to pay the judge directly or pay any court officer. Always make sure you follow the directions issued by the judge precisely, otherwise you may be accused of something you didn't do.
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