Get free answers to your Traffic Tickets legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Driver had no front license plate on vehicle but had license plate inside car
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answered on Sep 11, 2024
Appellate courts have held that an officer's request for a passenger's identification is lawful, even without suspicion of a specific crime or infraction. In this case, the officer is also claiming you weren't wearing a safety belt and so they would have reason to investigate that... View More 
I was pulled over for speeding and ticketed going 57 in a 40. This was also my first time ever being pulled over and having any vehicle incidents. I was also going downhill and saw my speedometer did not go over 45. On the ticket it says my speed was monitored with a Front/Stationary radar;... View More
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answered on Sep 8, 2024
You can certainly plead not guilty and challenge the radar accuracy. Just be aware that it's never easy to challenge the validity of stationary or moving radar results. The officer will more than likely be able to testify that he used tuning forks to check the calibration of his radar unit... View More
I got a ticket for violation of VA CODE 46.2-861-1(B) and Local code is 422.01. It gives me a court date for Aug 22.
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answered on Aug 1, 2024
Prepayable offenses should be marked on the court case information website (for more details, see: https://www.vacourts.gov/caseinfo/tickets_dc.html). I don't have enough information to answer your question about the Local Code violation, but the 46.2-861.1(B) offense is considered an... View More
She gave wrong name because she had a warrant she got arrested what cause did he have to talk to her
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answered on Jun 7, 2024
Federal courts have ruled that, during lawful a traffic stop, an officer may ask passengers for their identification. They justified this by describing such requests as "minimally intrusive" and in the interests of officer safety. And so while we may disagree with this authority, it is... View More
She gave wrong name because she had a warrant she got arrested what cause did he have to talk to her
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answered on Jun 5, 2024
Generally the police don't need cause to ask questions. And you are free to refuse to answer questions. Although in certain scenarios you might face consequences for that such as vehicle accidents where there is a duty to provide some identifying information.
The bus was approaching a railroad, with its hazards on. Neither the yellow or red flashing lights were on when I passed, however when I checked my rear mirror the red lights were flashing and the stop sign had been put out. None of these were on when I made the maneuver but now I’m worried I... View More
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answered on Jun 5, 2024
In Virginia the bus has to be stopped when you pass it. It doesn't sound like you committed a violation. If the bus was already stopped when you passed they can use a camera ticket (traffic infraction) in the mail but the bus would need to be stopped with the sign out before the pass. Or you... View More
The bus was approaching a railroad, with its hazards on. Neither the yellow or red flashing lights were on when I passed, however when I checked my rear mirror the red lights were flashing and the stop sign had been put out. None of these were on when I made the maneuver but now I’m worried I... View More
answered on Jun 1, 2024
In most states it is illegal to pass a school bus WHILE it is displaying red flashing signals and/or a stop sign. If the bus displayed these AFTER you passed, you did not commit a violation, but you do not say whether you were cited or not. The police will most likely not issue a citation they did... View More
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answered on Apr 3, 2024
Attending a DMV-approved driver improvement clinic voluntarily may result in you being awarded 5 safe driving points. This can be done once every two years. When you enroll you should be able to provide your reason for attending the clinic; if it's entered into the system as being done... View More
Hello,
This morning I was driving to work and a school bus pulled out in front of me and I quickly switched to the next lane over. The reason I’m concerned is because as soon as the bus pulled out they were slowly moving and I didn’t realize they were about to stop again. I’m not... View More
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answered on Mar 22, 2024
There are two Virginia statutes governing the passing of a school bus. They both discuss a vehicle "approaching" a stopped school bus and require that the school bus actually be stopped when it is passed. The statutes do not appear to apply to the situation you have described; this, as... View More
Hello,
This morning I was driving to work and a school bus pulled out in front of me and I quickly switched to the next lane over. The reason I’m concerned is because as soon as the bus pulled out they were slowly moving and I didn’t realize they were about to stop again. I’m not... View More
answered on Apr 15, 2024
Whether you get a ticket will largely depend on 1) if the bus driver noted you, felt you were passing them and reported you, and 2) if the bus had video cameras (the distribution of those cameras is very sporadic). This is a tough one, because the judges take it very seriously in light of the risk... View More
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answered on Mar 20, 2024
The Code of Virginia (specifically, Title 46.2, which governs most traffic matters) defines "highway", "roadway", and "shoulder" separately. That being said, there are times when traffic rules will apply to vehicles on the shoulder. For instance, Section 46.2-888,... View More
In Virginia I did go to court for citation just infraction speeding 54 on a 35. I have a super clean record as well, nothing on it was hoping I get a break. Cop did not ask typical questions like where are you going why are you almost going criminal speed. He was super quick on giving me a ticket.... View More
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answered on Mar 18, 2024
If you were present then you should not be found guilty in absentia or be asked to pay the associated in absentia fee ($35 last I checked). Check with the clerk's office for the court in which your case was called to see if there's anything you can do. It's possible that the clerk... View More
turn in to my drive way, left turn and I was turning in front of him, there was a far distance then all of a sudden very close to me, he never touched breaks and no break marks on road. I think he was speeding and might have been able to react better. I know I got the ticket but not sure if I... View More
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answered on Feb 26, 2024
If it were me, I would appear if possible. A judge has options for reducing or even dismissing a ticket like this. An amended charge of improper driving (only 3 demerit points) or even dismissal with completion of a driver improvement clinic might be possible depending on the circumstances of the... View More
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answered on Dec 28, 2023
The statute deals with a "school bus that is stopped" rather than one coming to a stop or simply displaying its warning signals. My reading of the statute is that there would need to be testimony from a witness and/or video footage establishing that the bus was passed while stopped.... View More
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answered on Nov 27, 2023
This will depend on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, the following: how comfortable you are testifying and presenting evidence in court, whether you feel like you have a legitimate chance of beating or reducing the charge as alleged and would prefer an experienced... View More
What to do to avoid jail this is my first ticket I have a clean record please advising what can happen and what should I do
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answered on Nov 28, 2023
Jail sentences are commonly imposed at speeds of 100 mph and higher. To improve your chances of a reduced penalty, you could consider performing community service at a charitable institution, proactively taking a driver safety course before the court date, have a calibration done on your... View More
What to do to avoid jail this is my first ticket I have a clean record please advising what can happen and what should I do
answered on Nov 26, 2023
Generally, getting your speedometer tested and completing community service before court can go a long way to helping avoid jail time.
Electing to have a jury trial is also a very good way to typically avoid jail as jurors tend to be less likely to impose incarceration than judges. (That... View More
One state trooper followed me across town and watched me stop at the store then the state trooper who lives near me was waiting on me in his driveway as I drove by and pulled me over 100 yards from my house. When he came to my window he said the reason he pulled me over was because I stopped at the... View More
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answered on Nov 10, 2023
The Code of Virginia limits the use of vehicles displaying antique tags to such activities as driving to test the operation of the vehicle, to drive to and from shows, and for occasional pleasure driving. The Code states that vehicles using antique plates shall not be used for "general... View More
One for failure to stop at a sign & one for going 80/55. Can I go to court for the first offense and just pay for the speeding? I’m 17 and was driving without a license.
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answered on Oct 13, 2023
Juvenile traffic case policies are very much dependent on the local judge's preferred way of handling them. Although the ultimate goal of the juvenile court system is rehabilitation rather than punishment, that does not necessarily mean that the judges will impose light penalties (as they also... View More
answered on Jul 8, 2023
Your ticket won't be dismissed for a typo. If you go to trial, you can point it out to the court, may affect the credibility of the officer. Officer could file a correction in the meantime, before trial. I recommend you contact several attorneys in your area that practice this type of law,... View More
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