Can you get mailed a ticket

You can question the issuing officer, including about his or her memory and training with speed-clocking equipment. These lawyers typically specialize in DUIs and more serious cases, but some take speeding ticket cases. Considering the costs, hiring a lawyer is likely worth the money if your ticket is particularly expensive or could result in the loss of your license.

In some areas, you must request mitigation in writing. Typically in mitigation, you admit to the offense and present information that would lead a judge to grant you leniency. Outcomes may include:. You take a driving course instead of paying the speeding ticket.

The ticket is reduced to a lesser fine. There are other possible ways your speeding ticket can shake out. For example, depending on where you live:. Your state may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. How much trouble depends on your state: You could be arrested or have to pay larger fines, or your license could be suspended.

NerdWallet writer Philip Reed contributed to this report. You may be able to resolve your citation without coming to Court. Do you have to go to court for a ticket? While you aren't required to go to court, you might be able to receive a more favorable outcome if you do.

A court appearance gives you the opportunity to get your ticket dismissed or lowers the fine amount. You may even be able to avoid having points added to your license or an increase in your insurance premiums. Does a citation go on your record? A citation does not stay on your record. A citation means that you are being "cited" for a charge. That charge, if you are convicted or you plead guilty is what stays on your record. What happens if you plead guilty to a citation? If you plead guilty to a traffic charge, you will have to pay the maximum fine and the charge will be on your DMV record for three years.

In some states, fines increase if you have a poor driving record or recent tickets for the same offense. What to do if you get a citation? Generally, when you get a traffic ticket, you can: Plead guilty and pay the traffic fine. What happens after you get a ticket? A traffic citation, also called an auto citation or a ticket, is a written notice that you receive from a law enforcement officer.

The citation explains what you did wrong, whether it was speeding, disregarding a stop sign or another violation. Basically, you get a traffic citation when you are caught disobeying traffic laws. It is written proof of your violation and will generally include information on how to rectify the situation, such as paying a required fine or appearing in court on a certain date. Now that we have clarified that there is no difference between a citation and a ticket, we can discuss some of the most common auto citations, including speeding tickets.

Some citations, like parking tickets, are considered non-moving violations since the car was not in motion at the time of the incident. Moving violations are actions for which you can be cited while you are operating your vehicle.

Some of the most common tickets for moving violations include:. When you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer and issued a citation, the officer will typically explain the accusation against you. In the case of a speeding ticket, for example, the officer may have captured your speed on a handheld speed gun.

Once the officer explains why they believe you committed an infraction, you will be handed the ticket. This does not mean you are admitting guilt, but are agreeing to pay the ticket or appear in court to dispute it.

If you are pulled over for speeding or another moving violation, knowing how to react to law enforcement is important. If the officer asks you questions, answer politely and provide your side of the story.

The officer may have proof of your speed or other violation, so denying that you committed the act may not be the best course of action. Find out what you need to do next: In some cases, you will need to appear in court.

You might have a court date if you are issued a citation for excessive speed, ticketed for reckless driving or involved in a traffic accident, for example. It is extremely important that you are clear about what actions you need to take following your citation. A failure to appear in court can lead to a misdemeanor filed against you, a substantial fine or even jail time.

Even paying your fine late might mean you need to pay additional funds a penalty to resolve the citation. Make notes about everything you can remember: Include the date and time, weather conditions, surroundings, if there were any posted speed limit signs that may have been obstructed, etc.

Doing this shortly after the citation when the details are fresh in your mind can be helpful. Get your citation resolved: This might mean heading to court or paying the ticket. That said, it may raise your auto insurance rates. If you feel the officer incorrectly ticketed you, you can choose to dispute the citation in court.

Hiring an attorney to help you with the process of rectifying a traffic citation may be a wise decision. An attorney that specializes in traffic court will likely better understand the process and can help you decide on the best course of action. Depending on your auto insurance company and your driving history, your car insurance rate could increase if you receive a traffic citation.

Some insurers may not increase your premiums for first-time auto citations. Pennslyvania Department of Transportation uses a point system to determine punishments, rewards, and severity of traffic violations.

You can read more about this system in our blog. In short, every moving traffic violation adds points to your record. If you pass six points, you could begin to see increasingly severe penalties for your actions.

If at any point, a citation or violation puts you behind bars, Szar Bail Bonds is in the business of helping you see freedom sooner.