Will I Have to Go to Court for a Speeding Ticket?

Perhaps you were running late and needed to be at your destination faster or you simply couldn’t resist the thrill of a high-spirited ride 20 mph above the highway speed limit. But the highway patrol caught sight of you. Now you hear the yelp siren and see the blue flashing lights from your rearview mirror. You pull over and get slapped with a speeding ticket. You see the court date written on your traffic ticket. The next question on your mind is: do I actually have to go to court for a speeding ticket?

Below, we’ve provided the circumstances that may require you to go to court due to a traffic ticket and possible defenses. But before that, it would be best to know the impact of a speeding ticket.

The Consequences of Getting a Speeding Ticket

Drivers tend to avoid being issued with a speeding ticket—and for good reasons. In the event that you’re convicted of driving above the speed limit, this violation comes with legal and financial implications, which include:

• Negative impact on your driving record: Speeding tarnishes your driving record, and that may result in the suspension of your license.
• Upfront costs: You’ll have to pay for the speeding ticket. If you choose to contest the ticket in court, you’ll incur court fees.
• Long-term costs: Following the issuance of a ticket, car insurance companies often impose higher insurance rates, reaching up to increases by hundreds of dollars annually.

Do You Have to Appear in Court for a Speeding Ticket?

Whether or not you need to go through the legal process for a speeding ticket depends on the circumstances surrounding your stop. Below are two factors that most courts consider when determining who needs to show up in court for a speeding ticket.

Minor Offenses/Violations

Minor offenses are less serious traffic violations. They include the most common minor offenses, such as changing lanes without signaling, ignoring road signs, and lower level speeding (i.e 10-15 miles over the limit).

These cases often don’t require a court appearance.. The police officer who pulled you over might even advise you to mail the ticket (with the required fees) to court, although that automatically means you accept that you violated the traffic laws and are pleading guilty.

While paying a $250 fine for a speeding ticket may not seem that bad (in fact, you’ll continue with your journey without much fuss), disputing the ticket in court has its advantages. Winning the court case means that your driving record remains clean and you avoid paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the next few years from elevated insurance rates.

Remember, making a court appearance may be optional but is highly recommended if you want to avoid the negative consequences a ticket has on your record and finances.

Serious Traffic Offenses

The court considers some offenses serious enough that the offender may be required to attend a court session. Some circumstances that may compel the officer to push for a court appearance include:

• Speeding 20 mph above the posted speed limit
• Reckless, malicious, or aggressive driving
• Speeding because of intoxication
• Driving with a suspended license
• Citation issued due to an accident

The legal consequence of committing some of the violations mentioned above can potentially be jail time. A skilled traffic lawyer can help you have your charges reduced or even dropped.

Common Defenses Against a Traffic Ticket

When you’re expected to appear in court for a traffic ticket, there are various ways you can fight the ticket and increase your chances of winning. Usually, these defenses are underpinned by your constitutional right to question the accuser. They include:

A No-Show by the Officer

The easiest means of winning is to ensure the officer doesn’t show up in court. It’s your constitutional right to question the officer, and if they don’t show up in court, you could automatically win the case.

Hire an Attorney to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Speeding Ticket Trial

The last thing you want is to ruin your driving record or incur increased car insurance rates because of a traffic ticket. The legal system doesn’t tilt to your side, especially when your speeding results in an accident that causes bodily injury to others or a fatality. However, partnering with a traffic ticket attorney is your best option when you want to hedge your driving or criminal record against negative commentaries.

A traffic lawyer can go to a traffic court on your behalf, thus saving you time. They can also provide you with legal advice as they are seasoned in traffic laws and understand the best course of action to aid your case. Besides, they are well versed in negotiations and plea bargaining, which you can leverage to reduce your speeding ticket into a non-speeding violation with fewer legal repercussions.

Let’s get started on your case today. Reach out to discuss your ticket with a free case review.