How to Fight a Traffic Ticket?

If you are a first-time driver or you have been driving for years, it is not uncommon to get a ticket every once in a while. However, there are times when you did not do anything wrong, and still, an officer pulls you over. What would be the best thing to do in this situation? Here are a few steps to fight that ticket.

1.    Be polite

Whether the officer is simply ego tripping or you are not sure why you were asked to pull over, always be polite and cooperative. It is also best to observe all the common norms when dealing with a police officer; keep your hands where the officer can see them, refrain from making any sudden movements and do not joke or act suspiciously. By merely being polite, friendly and cooperative the office can let you off with a simple warning, and you may not have to fight at all. You may even learn from the experience and ensure that you do not do the same mistake again if ever you did.

2.    Do not make excuses

In the situation when you pull over, and the officer asks if you know what you did wrong, it is important not to jump to conclusions with the assumptions you have in mind regarding what you did wrong. Remember rule number 1 and simply be polite. Do not make excuses and listen to what the officer has to say about your violation and if you feel like reacting, breathe, think and then decide what to say. What’s important is you note down the facts, remember what the officer is saying and be honest with your reasons. This will not only make you appear well in the eyes of the officer, but it will also help speed things up.

3.    Review ticket immediately

There may be inaccuracies present in the ticket that may hurt you in the long run. These can be in the form of notes saying you crossed two lanes when in fact it was only one or that traffic was heavy that day when it was light. Whatever the notes are, immediately ask the officer to correct them if inaccuracies are present. However, do keep in mind to remain polite when asking.

4.    Make Defense

Let’s say you lost and you got the ticket, as soon as you start driving away keep in mind the events of what happened and every relevant fact you can think of and note them down. These can be in the form of traffic and road conditions, time of day and weather. If you have your phone with you, take pictures. This can be useful if your case concerns a pothole or an obscured stop sign.

If you have a dash-cam recorder, you would be in a good place concerning your case since these things record everything that happens on your drive. If ever you do have one, check immediately if it was able to record the incident and transfer it to your computer or phone for evidence when you can.

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