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Michigan Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
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

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Got a parking ticket in a no parking zone In AA. I thought parking tickets were not issued after 5pm. Help, can’t afford
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 15, 2019

Some metered parking may not be enforced after a certain hour, but parking rules in general are enforceable 24 hours a day but any authorized person.

You will need to contact the court to see about a payment plan. DO NOT ignore the ticket. People have been unceremoniously arrested when they...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Are you at all familiar with "Ticket Fundraising" issue in Taylor, MI - any recourse for issuance of false tickets?

Husband was pulled over, officer said for speeding but he was not speeding, then said he would "do him a favor" and write the ticket for a parking violation (no points) - he was not speeding, and he was certainly not double parked on I-94 in Taylor... similar reports seem to say trying to... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 9, 2019

If you fight it - i.e. demand a formal hearing - the officer could come to court and say "you know what, you're right. I should have actually wrote the ticket for 20 over". Then what? Unless your husband can overcome the presumption of evidence, he might be stuck.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got a speeding ticket with incorrect info on it. The Name, date of birth, address is wrong. Can I get this dismissed?

The only thing that is correct on the ticket is the Vehicle plate number. Should I fight this in court or contact the officer's supervisor?

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on May 9, 2019

Probably the best way to approach this is to ask for an Informal Hearing. When you go for that, you can tell the Magistrate about the mistakes on the ticket, but even before you do that, talk with the officer, who should be there for the hearing, and see if you can reach an agreement that will not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Must police ask reasonably related questions related to the purpose of the traffic stop for an equipment violation?

Illega I was pulled over by the state police and got in trouble. I turned the corner with him coming towards me and he immediately turned around and pulled me over. All that was asked was for my papers, and 'how much have you had to drink today cause I can smell it.' End of story. Not a... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 6, 2019

Interesting question, and I can tell you did some research. The limits expressed in Terry v. Ohio don't apply when driving a car. Police can pull over a car for any number of reasons, and once stopped, can inquire as they did in your case. I would note that you didn't have to answer the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I live in the State of MI. How should I plead for not stopping in time for a school bus? I was on the opposite side.

I was in front of my house, on the opposite side of street where the school bus was, and about to turn into the driveway ahead and drop my youngest off at his bus stop. I explained to the officer that I had a lot on my mind at the time, causing me to not realize the red lights were up on the bus at... View More

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Apr 23, 2019

Call the Court and ask to set the matter for a "formal hearing". Go to the Secty of State and get a copy of your full driving record and take it with you to court. Sit with the City Attorney handling your case. Explain what happened, show her your good driving record and ask them to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I have 4 traffic tickets from 4 years ago right before I went off for college. Now I have warrants what do I do?
Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Mar 20, 2019

Much depends upon what infractions are in those tickets. If they are only civil traffic matters, you have probably been defaulted and are responsible to pay them. However, some tickets are actually criminal misdemeanors which are punishable by fees, fines, costs, and depending upon the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I’m 16, Ilive in Michigan, I got pulled over for doing 70 in a 55 but only got a ticket for going 1-5 over.

Will I get my license taken away? Do I plead guilty?

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Mar 18, 2019

Probably not, but you should definitely contact an attorney who handles traffic matters near you. Hire him/her to set this matter for a hearing and to appear with you at the hearing. If your record is otherwise clear, he/she may be able to resolve the case with no points and no record. It is... View More

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