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Michigan Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got ticketed for not having my insurance info present and for having a suspended license that i was not aware of

After the policeman ticked me, he asked me for my phone number. Normal?

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Jan 28, 2020

It is not unusual. Certainly, not improper. Remember, a police officer can ask any questions she wants. You are required to produce your license registration and proof of insurance, you are free to decline to answer other questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Ticket says speeding but officer told me impeding traffic

Hi, I got pulled over for speeding and the officer told me he wrote me up for impeding traffic so I don’t get points on my record, but in the ticket the charge still states speeding but he wrote impeding traffic in the comments section. He then said just let the court know it’s for impeding... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Jan 27, 2020

If it says Speeding, in the area on the ticket, right below where it says, In Violation of (probably Local Ordinance), then the charge is speeding, and the notation of Impeding Traffic in the remarks section is not controlling. If you just pay the ticket, you will be paying for a speeding ticket.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: What to do about court fines and warrents.

I got in trouble with the law 6 years ago. I did not pay those court fines. Due to not being able to. Now I have a greatjob that pays me really well. I would like to pay them off however I have a warrant for my arrest because of those fines. Right now at my job we are on mandatory 7 days if I miss... View More

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Jan 13, 2020

Not enough information. I don't know whether you are talking about traffic fines, misdemeanor fines, and costs, or felony. I don't know your prior history, whether you have a long record of cases and failure to appear. Many factors enter the equation. Don't mess around. Hire an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Hi i got pulled over for a warrant that i known nothing about the cop said for driving on a restricted license

I never got pulled over for that nor did i ever get a ticket handed to me if so i would have paid it so i paid 100 bond to cop and now a court date frustrated

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 5, 2020

Not sure what happened, but the best thing you can do now is appear in court to resolve this matter.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: What are the laws on unmarked police cars in Michigan? Can they be completely unmarked? Can they do traffic stops?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 5, 2019

They can be completely unmarked, but they cannot do routine traffic stops (although many are also equipped with interior emergency lights). Almost always, they would radio over for a marked car to conduct any necessary traffic stop.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got a no proof of insurance ticket in Michigan. I do not have insurance. What do I do?

I got pulled over for a headlight out in Isco country. Got a no proof of insurance ticket.

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Nov 28, 2019

Contact Court. Schedule ticket for formal hearing.

Before the hearing, buy insurance and obtain written proof of insurance.

Before hearing, go to Secretary of State and obtain copy of your driving record.

Attend hearing, talk to city attorney and present proof of insurance...
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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Received a DWLS citation (MCL 257.9041B) BUT my licence was valid. Driving status was questionable. Now what?

Proved that I was valid driver within the ten days allotted. Arraignment was set anyway. At arraignment was told I had to set a pretrial confrence. Etc.....

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Nov 25, 2019

Set the case for a pretrial. Contact the Secretary of State and purchase your driving record. Ask them the status of your license. Ask them if there were any restrictions on your license when you were stopped. It is possible you have unpaid tickets that resulted in a suspension? If so, contact... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: If a cop gets behind you and doesn't flick his lights and you park and walk away is that a crime even with bad plates?
Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Nov 25, 2019

The crime appears to be that you were driving a car without proper registration. If the officer was following procedure, he ran the plate through his computer and the crime would be obvious. The officer could not have known about the lack of insurance. The offer need not turn on his lights for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Do judges in Michigan get any money of fines that go into their retirement accounts
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 22, 2019

Judges? No. The money a court collects is distributed by a formula to various entities. Judges are paid a salary set by law; they do not receive any bonuses.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got a warning charge that has the “citation” and “warning” boxes checked next to it. Do I need to pay for the fine?

So the ticket was originally for an illegal turn. He made it for impeding traffic and on the line directly below it, is the illegal turn violation with its own fine and 2 points. I asked if my insurance would increase and he said no because it’s just a warning and I need to pay the impeding... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Nov 20, 2019

I agree that you need to get an explanation about this ticket. Maybe you can call the court and get clarification, but be sure you comply with the time limit stated on the ticket to formally respond to the ticket. If you can't get a satisfactory explanation, request an Informal Hearing and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: An officer did not witness my ticketed "Improper Passing" but called to a calculated site

Ticket states Authorization Pend. 257.638. In Remarks "Witnessed by Dan...." (a retired 2014 Cheboygan, Mi. officer) and "driver admits" (I did not, I cried) Will I lose an appeal?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 2, 2019

My general take on civil infractions for traffic offenses is that if you have the time and inclination, I do not see a downside in requesting a formal hearing on the matter. Keep in mind that this is not a criminal proceeding, and so it doesn't take much for a magistrate or judge to find you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: My license are suspended, been suspended couple of time. Someone hit me when I drove around the corner to the store,

Received a ticket in the mail 14 days to show up. Do I plead quilty or not quilty? Will they let me go once I pay my bond?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 21, 2019

You'll need to consult with a local attorney before doing anything. Although you were the one hit, you are accountable for driving with a license suspended (a misdemeanor). The general advice for any criminal proceeding is to plea not guilty unless directed otherwise through the advice of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can I fight Section 257.602b traffic ticket arguing the language of "text message" did not apply in my case?

In Michigan State Traffic Law, Section 257.602b, can I argue that I did not violate the Section, questioning the definition of a "text message" stated in the Section? I understand a text message can be one sent via SMS for example one using the cellular network, and may not include other... View More

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Sep 12, 2019

The phrase "text message" is not a defined term. The court will likely attribute to it a general definition rather than a strict one limited to SMS. A court is likely to interpret the statute in accordance with the activity that is being regulated and the harm that it is intended to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can police hide then pull you over?

I left work a cop passed me from opposite direction I pulled in friends driveway and dropped off her work badge. Saw the cop fly by going in the direction I was previously going. I got back in car proceeded to go home down the road I saw the same cop parked on a side road. I was not speeding then.... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Aug 30, 2019

If the officer witnessed you speeding, the fact that he did not pull you over immediately is not a defense. You should contact an attorney who handles traffic cases on a regular basis for some guidance on how your particular case should be handled. Sincerely, Frank B. Ford

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got a citation for no proof of insurance and expired registration for a vehicle I no longer have.

I since got a new vehicle. Can I appear in court with the proof of registration and insurance for the car I do have now?

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Aug 28, 2019

No, you cannot. The ticket refers to the operation of the other vehicle.

If your former car was insured or was registered, but you did not have the certificate at the time you were pulled over, you may appear with proof of insurance and/or registration showing that the vehicle was insured...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can a ticket be dismissed becuase the officer read wrong registration and put down my old cars make, model, vin and year

I handed him my insurance info with the registration folder and it had my last cars info in it also since i had only just purchased my new car. This happend on the ohio turnpike. And im from out of state.

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Jun 18, 2019

No. The citation was issued to you, not the car. An error of this type is easily corrected and the court would allow that correction.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Bankruptcy and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: i was pulled over for speeding over 10 years ago, no proof of anything , and they found a $5 bag of weed 2694140856

DWOL CASES EVERY SENSE

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jun 17, 2019

What is your question?

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Should I fight a MI 257.602b case for using my phone as a map while driving? It was not affixed to the vehicle.

I received a ticket in Ogemaw County, MI for holding my phone to use it as a map/gps (as remarked on the citation). I was cited under the texting and driving law that specifies "a person shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 2, 2019

I think where you'll run into trouble arguing in your defense is that while holding your phone, it was not affixed to the motor vehicle - regardless of what was on your screen.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: 257.653(1)(B). Misdemeanor: failed to yield to emergency vehicle. Am I going to get the max penalty?

Police officer arrives at intersection with visible and audible sirens. During this, I passed a green light in a 4 way intersection but stopped near police vehicle. Emergency response passed at my back soon after I passed. This is my 1st offense. Would I get a maximum of a $500 fine and 30 days... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 25, 2019

Likely not. Although you should certainly consult with a local attorney. It is very possible to achieve a more pleasant result through skillful negotiation with the prosecutor.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Dear Sir, This is first time of misdemeanor. I got a clean record. Am i going to jail?
Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on May 22, 2019

That is very unlikely. Depending upon the seriosness of the offense, If you plead or are found guilty, most 1st offenders pay a fine, and may have probation. You may also be eligible to have the misdemeanor dismissed orreduced to a simple non criminal traffic citation. It's always a good... View More

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