Receiving a traffic ticket can be frustrating, especially if a motorist believes it was issued unfairly. Fortunately, the Sunshine State’s law allows drivers to challenge traffic citations.
Whether it’s a speeding ticket or a red light violation, understanding the process and one’s legal rights can help affected drivers successfully contest a ticket.
Understanding available options
When a motorist is issued a traffic ticket, they can explore the following options:
- Pay the stipulated fine
- Attend traffic school if they’re eligible
- Challenge the ticket
Paying the stipulated fine might seem like the easiest route, but it also means admitting guilt. This can result in points on a motorist’s driving record and higher insurance premiums. Attending traffic school may help a driver avoid points, but it still requires paying the fine and completing the course.
Challenging the ticket, on the other hand, allows a driver to plead not guilty and present their case in court. With suitable legal guidance, a motorist could successfully have the ticket dismissed. It’s an ideal option because it allows a motorist to avoid fines, points and other penalties.
Challenging a traffic ticket
When a driver decides to challenge a traffic ticket, they should enlist legal guidance when reviewing the details of the ticket. Legal support can help ensure the driver identifies any errors that they can use as grounds for dismissal. For example, suppose the officer noted an incorrect statute to the alleged violation. In that case, the driver can use this mistake to challenge the traffic ticket.
Motorists can challenge a traffic ticket in the Sunshine State instead of admitting guilt to a violation they didn’t commit. With hands-on legal guidance, affected drivers can identify mistakes in the traffic ticket and work to use them as grounds for dismissal.
