Top 3 Strategies to Fight a Traffic Ticket
Traffic tickets are the bane of every driver's existence, adding potentially hundreds of dollars to already expensive gas prices and maintenance.
Which is why, if you've decided to fight a traffic ticket, you need to go into court prepared with arguments and evidence at the ready.
To help you make the most of that traffic ticket court date, here are the top three things you should focus on prior to and during your fight.
Fight a Traffic Ticket by Disputing the Facts
The first part of a traffic ticket dispute involves testimony by the ticketing officer who, with the help of the prosecutor, will present evidence of the events to the judge.
It's your job to show that the events surrounding the traffic ticket don't comport with his tale--that his facts are wrong or he couldn't possibly have seen you. Do this with the help of eyewitness statements, diagrams, and photographs of the scene.
Fight a Traffic Ticket by Attacking Opinions
Traffic tickets are often based on subjective criteria. Question the officer about where he was in relation to your car, why he thought you were unsafe, the presence of traffic and other cars around you, and anything else that calls into question his perception of the events.
Fight a Traffic Ticket by Arguing Necessity
You can always argue that your driving was necessary given the circumstances. Was there an emergency with you or your car? Were you required to change lanes or speed to avoid an accident? Did the state of traffic necessitate your driving?
These are all great strategies if all that is at stake is a monetary fine. However, if your license is at risk or you've been ticketed with a serious offense, consider calling an attorney.
Related Resources:
- Traffic Tickets Center (FindLaw)
- Deciding if Fighting Traffic Tickets Is a Good Idea (FindLaw)
- Speeding Ticket: Should I Fight it or Pay it? (FindLaw Blotter)
- Top 5 Ways to Fight a Parking Ticket (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)