Get free answers to your Traffic Tickets legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I was pulled over for not having a front license plate, and the officer initially said he would issue a warning. However, when bystanders began laughing, the officer changed the warning to a ticket solely because of their laughter. Is it legal for the officer to change his decision based on... View More 
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Yes, an officer has the legal authority to issue a citation for a traffic violation, even after initially saying they would give a warning. However, changing the decision solely because of bystander reactions—like laughter—raises concerns about professionalism and the true intent behind the... View More
In North Carolina, I received a traffic ticket for running a red light which led to a car wreck determined to be my fault. There were no injuries, and my insurance covered all the damages. The ticket was dismissed by the District Attorney on the day of my court date with no conditions. I had one... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
You generally would not receive DMV demerit points in Virginia for a charge that was dismissed. That said, the best way to verify whether NC might have reported the charge to Va. is to request a copy of your driver transcript from DMV. If you learn the dismissal was reported & VA has imposed... View More
My court date is tomorrow for driving on a suspended license in Rockingham County, VA. The license was suspended due to a speeding ticket and the requirement to complete a driver's improvement class, which I was unaware of. I didn't receive the DMV's notification letter but found the... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
You’re in a stressful situation, but you still have options—even with court tomorrow. It’s not too late to ask the judge for a **continuance** to give you time to get legal representation. Many judges in Virginia will consider this request, especially if it’s your first appearance and you... View More
I received a speeding ticket last Saturday for driving 75 in a 55 mph zone. However, my last name was incorrectly written on the ticket. I have not contacted the issuing authority about the error, and this is my first traffic violation. The ticket may have been issued out of town. How should I... View More
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answered on Mar 18, 2025
I'm not sure what you mean by "issued out of town" but something to keep in mind is that a Virginia summons should include your license #, your address, other identifying information, and (usually) your signature. I wouldn't assume that this error would prevent the charge from... View More
I received an inspection ticket in Virginia but got the inspection done the next day. I paid the fine online well before my court date. Since my summons was a release on summons, do I still need to show up to court?
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answered on Mar 10, 2025
No, you shouldn't have to attend court if it has been pre-paid. That is an offense where the judge would just try you in your absence if you didn't appear. If you're still concerned about the ticket you can check the status of your case online at... View More
I received a super speeder ticket for going 89 in a 70 mph zone in Virginia. I have no previous tickets, but I cannot attend the court date set for the 14th of this month as I do not live in Virginia. I am planning to enter the military and am concerned that this ticket, which I understand could be... View More
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answered on Mar 7, 2025
If you're entering the military you will want to get this reduced since reckless driving is classified as a criminal misdemeanor and it can impact security clearances and job promotion etc. You likely can hire an attorney to represent you in your absence depending on the jurisdiction. And... View More
I am trying to regain my driver's license and have contacted the main DMV in West Virginia, where I was informed about three citations against me. I visited the relevant county to resolve them, but one citation from 2018 is marked as not yet pled by me. This citation is a traffic offense... View More
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answered on Feb 27, 2025
If you get a compliance summary it will tell you everything you need to do in order to get a license. The WV issue is a question of WV law. If it it holding you up in VA, then you need to get advice from a WV lawyer or handle that there so it is no longer holding you up. But the compliance summary... View More
I received a ticket for an expired car inspection, but I was not given the document on how to pay it. My car has since passed inspection. Can I bring up the lack of payment information in court to possibly have the ticket dismissed when I appear on April 4th?
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answered on Feb 13, 2025
That does not sound like a valid legal defense. If you want to pay it you can likely contact the court to do that. If you want to go to court they usually dismiss if it was addressed and fixed.
Augusta County, VA- I stopped for the bus unloading kids going the opposite direction as me on a county 2-lane road (double yellow lines). It started moving as did the cars behind it (I was going opposite direction), so we got closer in distance then realized it was stopping AGAIN only a couple... View More
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answered on Feb 6, 2025
Under the circumstances, your response to the bus going back into motion was perfectly reasonable. Regardless, you stopped for the school bus as required as soon as you realized it had stopped for a second time. I see no violation.
I'm talking no involvement what so ever. Wasn't at her residence, she didn't know anything that allegedly occured has zero involvement, she didn't provide anyone anything she didn't have anything at all to do with the case what so ever in literally any capacity. They just... View More
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answered on Feb 4, 2025
I would guess someone misunderstood what the judge did. The judge can decide whether or not to even give a bond, they can put no contact conditions etc. I would imagine someone here misunderstood what the judge actually did.
The good behavior is for two felonies POs. Of scheduled 1 or 2 on my juvenile record I caught the charges at 16 charges with them fully at 19 I was give 2 year 2 years suspended one year good behavior my new pending charge is a shoplifting misdemeanor for 10 dollar sunglasses and I accidentally... View More
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answered on Jan 5, 2025
Good behavior violations are not governed by sentencing revocation report guidelines. If you were still under a term of good behavior when you committed a new violation of law, it's possible that you will face a good behavior violation on your old case. But not all good behavior violations are... View More
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answered on Dec 26, 2024
Yes. § 46.2-1010 and § 46.2-1011 cover the need for two functioning headlights, and as they are not designated as secondary offenses an officer can pull you over for a violation. By comparison, several statutes in the Code governing brake lights, seat belts, and some other minor infractions... View More
I live in Virginia.
Delivery driver for GrubHub hit and ran my parked vehicle, all evidence is on footage but too dark too see license plate. Law enforcement and customer service are not willing to help because there were no injuries. Is it possible to file a case without the name and... View More
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answered on Nov 20, 2024
This is a civil question not traffic tickets. I believe you can file a John doe suit but again that's not a question for traffic tickets. Law enforcement should do their job and investigate as hit and run is a misdemeanor. I would go up the law enforcement chain and get them to do their job.... View More
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answered on Nov 1, 2024
This sounds like a speeding camera ticket. For these, no points are assessed against your driver's license and no report is made to the DMV or your insurance provider; however, they are still allowed to demand that you pay a civil penalty. To be sure, you could consult with a lawyer in your... View More
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answered on Oct 23, 2024
In 2014, yes. As of 2021, the Virginia Code was amended to label a number of traffic infractions "secondary violations" which, standing alone, do not justify a traffic stop. But this new rule is not retroactive to traffic stops from 2014.
I passed a school bus that was pulled to the side of the road at an entrance road. It had hazards and the yellow warning lights but no red lights and no arm deployed. Another school bus in between us passed in the same manner as I did. After that bus passed I waited a second or two and the stopped... View More
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answered on Oct 25, 2024
Yellow warning lights begin to deviate from their intended purpose if they're left on indefinitely. I have seen this behavior before from some school bus drivers and it is a problem for other motorists who have to decide how to proceed. It sounds like you took reasonable precautions before... View More
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answered on Oct 11, 2024
Generally what the courts do depends on your speed and driving history. Most judges look at the last 5 years. Many judges will offer driving school to reduce or dismiss if you were polite and have a very good driving record and haven't done driving school in the last 5 years.
Unless... View More
June 2024 I was given a Ticket for speeding (Milton, GA - Fulton County).
I have a Alabama Drivers License. Clean Driving Record.
July 2024, went to court, told the court twice I'm having financial problems and cant pay this fine. They gave the opportunity to complete Non... View More
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answered on Oct 5, 2024
I think you posted this in the wrong state. If you got the ticket in Georgia you needed Georgia attorney.
In Virginia this would not go well at all. The judge would view it as making excuses. But if your ticket is in Georgia then you need to talk to somebody there.
I just wanted too know what I will be facing if I was too go too court without a lawyer I just got off driving probation and my points is -11 and my speed was 79/35 and I went too get my car calibrated it was off by one and I took a class so my points went down too -11 it was -16 at first
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answered on Oct 3, 2024
They're probably not going to reduce it for you. And you might get some jail time. You haven't approached at the correct way. There's a better way to approach that. But honestly, a case like that requires good legal representation because you've got a pretty bad driving record... View More
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answered on Oct 22, 2024
Generally it's best to have a lawyer if you're charged with a misdemeanor or felony. And sometimes even traffic violations can result in job loss, license suspensions or greatly increased insurance. It's usually best to have an attorney if you can afford it but if you're not... View More
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