What should i say in traffic court

How to Practice Your Testimony There's no trick to practicing your testimony. Talk to a Lawyer Need a lawyer? Start here. Practice Area Please select Zip Code. How it Works Briefly tell us about your case Provide your contact information Choose attorneys to contact you. Driving Laws. Traffic Tickets. Dealing With a DUI. Hire a DUI Lawyer? See All Driving Laws Articles. Get Professional Help. For example, you might tell the judge that the stop sign was concealed by a tree, that traffic was heavy and you had difficulty watching your speed or that you thought you signaled for a lane change in adequate time.

Make your argument firmly, but respectfully. A third option is to plead not guilty and ask for a trial. The downside of this is that you will have to appear in court again, but the case may be dismissed if the arresting officer does not appear.

Do not expect to be acquitted unless you can conclusively demonstrate that you did not commit the offense with which you have been charged. Unlike most criminal trials, the burden of proof tends to fall heavily on the defendant and the court is likely to take the word of the arresting officer over yours. If you plead guilty, your fine will usually be less than it would have been if you had simply mailed it in.

The judge has some discretion to reduce your fine, particularly if you offer an explanation. The judge may take your driving record into consideration. The simple act of showing up in court is considered to an act of civic duty and for that reason alone a court might impose a lower fine.

You can also learn more tips on fighting your ticket here: aside from learning what to say in court. But if you want to avoid going to court, try getting your speeding ticket dismissed here. You need to rehearse what you are going to say beforehand just in case. This will make it easier to express yourself clearly and concisely on the actual day. Welcome to RatedRadarDetector. RRD is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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Working with Private Attorneys. Professional Use Only Forms. Search Search. What are my options if I admit that I am wrong? How do I know how much I owe? Are there any other options besides paying the fine?