ILW.COM - immigration news: Traffic Ticket

A traffic ticket is a citation or summon issued to a person, who has violated a motor vehicle law. This citation/summon, is issued by a police officer or other authorized representative of the government, in order to appear in court before a judge or magistrate. After being issued the citation/summon, the person accused of violating the law, can remain free pending his/her need to appear in court.

Traffic violation could be anything which is not according to the law of traffic rules.

Traffic violations can be either of a criminal or civil nature. Although both kinds can result in fines, point violations, license suspension or a combination of these penalties, only criminal traffic offenses carry a possible penalty of jail.

Criminal traffic offense are, such as Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving, Driving While License is Suspended etc.

If cop catches you and gives a traffic ticket, you will be asked to sign the ticket. Actual notice will be given to you by mail.

In case of charged with a civil traffic infraction such as speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, improper change of lane or violation of right-of-way, you have two options.

First, if you want to plead not guilty, you may go to the court and request a hearing. If the judge determines that no infraction has been committed, no cost or penalties will be imposed or the judge may reduce the fine.

Your second option is to attend and complete a basic driver improvement course approved by the State, in the location of your choice. There will be a fee for the course in addition to the Clerk's fee. If you complete the course, conviction will be withheld and points will not be assessed, provided you have not taken the course in the past twelve (12) months. You are only permitted to take the course 5 times during your lifetime.

Iff you are charged with a criminal traffic offense, you may consult an attorney or lawyer.

or a combination of these penalties. If it's a traffic criminal case it can lead to jail.

In the state of California, you can attend traffic school, only if you haven't attended one in the past 18 months. Also, there are a few states in the US, which don't have this option at all, in which case, the traffic offense remains on your records.

Always keep:
1. Driver License.
2. A copy of valid vehicle registration.
3. A copy of valid vehicle insurance.
There are speed limits sign posts on every road. Drive carefully according to the speed limits.
Follow the speed limits, try not to violate, as in 90% cases the traffic tickets are due to speed violation.
Be alert to look around if any cop is there, as they normally try to hide in some corners and leap to catch somebody.
If you are being stopped by a cop, park the car on the right hand side of the road and never come out of the car until asked to. Cases have happen that they might misunderstand it as a violent action, and might shoot you.
If you decide to go to the court, take the appointment convenient for you. If you miss it at the last moment, inform the court by calling them and take the next possible date.
Remember, traffic tickets not only make you to be penalized by fine or any other penalty, but also effects your driving record.
Never ever drive after drinking. Your license would be seized, if caught.
Don't drive without your license.
Some of the traffic light signals are equipped with Video cameras to capture traffic violation, don't wonder if you get a red light violation ticket in your mail box.
Pedestrians may also be fined, if found crossing a busy street without pedestrian signal.
Never throw any kind of paper or any other waste out of your car windows. If caught, you may be fined.
One can be fined, if found walking on the freeways.

About The Author

Rajeev Shrivstava of Path2USA.com. Path2USA.com strives to answer your every query about any thing that's relevant to the USA. Visit Path2USA.com for more information.

Traffic Ticket

by Rajeev Shrivstava

About The Author