Should I Fight My Traffic Ticket?
You may not be as eager to fight a traffic ticket as you would a criminal accusation. Even though it may seem like a minor infraction, you may regret not fighting back. Here’s why:
When you get a traffic ticket, you can challenge it – If they eventually throw out your ticket, the work to dispute it will be well worth it. It’s possible to secure lower penalties even if an officer’s rationale for charging you with a crime has some basis.
Failing to contest a traffic citation might cost you thousands – You may be thinking, “It’s just a $100 ticket,” but after reporting your traffic infraction to your insurance provider, there’s a good chance you may face an increase in your auto insurance premiums of up to 30 percent. Paying your ticket without a battle might result in you having to pay the total amount of your ticket and then some for months to come.
The act of paying a traffic ticket is equivalent to confessing your guilt – If you do not fight your ticket and accept the fines, points on your license, and other penalties; you will forfeit your opportunity to contest the repercussions later. If you pay a traffic ticket, the court will consider you guilty of the claimed traffic offenses specified on the citation; therefore, paying it is equivalent to admitting guilt.