How To Get Your Traffic Ticket Dismissed

Receiving a speeding ticket may seem like no big deal. Most tickets come with a fine and maybe traffic school. However, that ticket may have consequence that you are not thinking about. Insurance rates could go up because of a ticket. The fine that you have to pay may be as much as $200 or more. You cannot afford to at least try to have your ticket dismissed.

Always Plead Not Guilty

A driver is not guilty of the traffic violation just because a ticket was issued. You have the right to a hearing in front of a judge to fight the charge. Pleading not guilty is always going to be in your best interest. Paying the ticket without a fight is what the officer is hoping you will do.

Delay The Process As Long As Possible

The officer who issued the ticket must be present during your court hearing. Most judges will dismiss the ticket against you if the officer does not show up for the hearing. Asking for continuances to your case will make it more likely that the officer does not show up. You can ask for delays for little things like conflicts with your work schedule. A frustrated officer may eventually decide he has better things to do with his time.

Question The Process

Your ticket could be dismissed if the proper procedure was not followed. Make sure to dispute every step of the process that was used to catch you breaking the law. Tickets are routinely dismissed for things like failure to properly calibrate a radar gun. Judges will not hesitate to throw out a ticket if you can prove that you were given that citation illegally.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

It is on the officer to prove that you are guilty of whatever you were pulled over for. This means that all you have to do is prove reasonable doubt. Having a witness that can testify to your innocence can be a big help while in court. A witness who can back up your story could put the credibility of the officer in question.

Getting a traffic ticket is never fun. Even the smallest of tickets can cost you several hundred dollars in fines and other fees. However, you have the right to challenge that ticket in court. Take advantage of that right whenever possible. It is certainly possible that you can get your ticket dismissed.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher specializing in Texas defensive driving comedy info. For readers who are interested in learning more about this subject, Peter recommends they check out DriveLikeThis.com.