What does the traffic court deal with?

Traffic court is a specialized judicial process for handling traffic ticket cases. In the United States, people who are given a citation by a police officer can plead guilty and pay the indicated fine directly to the court house, by mail, or on the Internet.

What happens if you go to traffic court unprepared?

To put it bluntly, being unprepared will kill your chances of getting a favorable plea bargain and winning your case. If you are in NYC, your case will likely go to trial since there is no way to negotiate.

What do you need to know about traffic court?

You or your attorney will have to be prepared to question or “cross examine” an experienced police officer and make legal arguments about sufficiency of proof (for example) to the judge. You should bring any evidence you have (a dashcam video, for example) that you think will support your case.

How to avoid going to traffic court in NY?

He may be able to get you out of court hours earlier that you would otherwise, and in most NY courts you can avoid coming to court altogether by sending in your lawyer as your legal representative (rules vary state to state). 5. Be Honest If you try to pull a fast one in traffic court, you will not get very far.

Do you have to go to traffic court early?

The biggest complaint that we hear from drivers is that they had to wait in an extremely long line. Some say they waited all day and missed work. However, one of the best kept secrets is that coming early can help secure an early spot in line and in the court proceedings.

What happens when you show up for traffic court?

When you show up for court on your trial date, the routine is similar to that of arraignment day. But usually, all the cases on the court’s calendar will be traffic trials. If there are any arraignments on the calendar, the judge will normally get those out of the way first.

Which is worse traffic court or criminal court?

Also, the stakes in traffic court are lower than they are in criminal court—typically, the worst thing that can happen in traffic court is the driver is found guilty and must pay a fine. These—and perhaps other—factors contribute to a less intimidating and less rigid atmosphere than what you mind find in other types of courtrooms.

Is it worth hiring a traffic court attorney?

If you have your mind set on taking your case to trial, it might be worth hiring, or at least talking to, a traffic attorney. For someone with no legal training or trial experience, traffic trials can be challenging. Conducting a trial effectively, even a simple one, requires preparation, legal knowledge, and skill.