3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Pay Your Tickets Online (and 3 Alternatives)

Forget everything you’ve been told about traffic tickets. You don’t have to pay the fine, and you don’t have to go to court. You may think you’re doing the right thing—or at least the easiest thing—in the moment, but what you’re really doing is playing right into the traffic court’s hands. 

The thing is, they want you to pay your tickets off. They want you to accept the consequences, and they want you to do it again and again because that’s how they fund the city. 

But that’s not your problem to solve. Your problem is wiggling your way out of this situation without giving the city one red cent. Let’s take a look at why paying your tickets isn’t in your best interest and some alternatives.

Never Pay Your Tickets Online. Here’s Why . . .

#1 Paying Your Ticket is Pleading Guilty

As soon as you hit that “Submit Payment” button, you’ve signed and sealed your guilty plea. You are admitting that you committed the traffic offense you were charged with and accepting all the consequences that come with it, like increased insurance rates. 

Would you plead guilty to a crime without exploring other options first? A traffic citation is no different. You have rights, and paying your tickets means forfeiting those.

#2 The More Tickets You Have, the More Your License Is at Risk

Unlike some other states, Louisiana does not have a point-based driving system. But don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet, because if you get three or more tickets within 12 months, the state  can impose a driver’s license suspension.

What’s worse is that the traffic violations don’t fall off for three years. That’s three years of living with the unintended consequences of a ticket you could have contested, costing you way more in the long run.

#3 Your Driving Record Could Limit Your Opportunities

Are you in the market for a new job? Even if you aren’t, you could be in the next three years. 

If a condition of that job is to drive or have a clean driving record, you could be automatically excluded from the running. Say you want to deliver groceries on the weekend, or your boss wants to gift you a company car. Your driving record will speak for itself, and what do you think it will have to say? 

You May Have Better Options

The legal system is intimidating for a reason. They’d rather you go with the flow, pay the traffic fine and move on than educate you on your options.

Here are three:

• Go to court. Show up to the traffic court on the day and time listed on your ticket and contest your ticket. This way, you can speak directly to the judge and raise defenses, and even better, if the cop doesn’t show up, things could work out in your favor.
• Take a defensive driving course. You may be able to participate in the Louisiana Defensive Driving Course or traffic school to get your ticket dismissed. On your court date, this would be something you can discuss with the judge.
• Talk to a traffic ticket attorney. It’s always a good idea to consult an attorney when it comes to legal matters like a traffic ticket. A traffic ticket lawyer can advise you on possible outcomes and represent you in court.

Speeding tickets and other moving violations aren’t taken lightly in Louisiana. Educate yourself and explore every option before forking over your hard-earned money.

Got a Traffic Ticket in New Orleans? Call the Law Office of Heather C. Ford

Don’t just pay it. 

Don’t just resign yourself to fate. And don’t just hope that you’ll get lucky.

If you have a speeding ticket or other traffic violation, hire a New Orleans traffic ticket attorney with a 99% success rate. Hire the Law Office of Heather C. Ford. Call or text us today for your free consultation.