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1. What happens if I receive a ticket for a civil infraction traffic violation?

The ticket that you received will include a number at the top and will indicate the violation you were ticketed for, how you can respond to the ticket, where you need to appear to settle the matter, what your rights are, and the badge number of the issuing officer. Your options are:

• To admit responsibility for the violation and pay the fine in person, by the mail or over the internet.
• To admit responsibility with an explanation attached to the ticket describing any special circumstances. A magistrate will review the ticket and your explanation. You will be notified by mail of the magistrate's decision.
• You must contact the court within 10 days by mail, telephone or in person to deny responsibility and schedule an informal hearing. No attorney for either side is allowed at the hearing.
• Deny responsibility and request a formal hearing before a judge. A representative of the prosecutor's office and the issuing officer will be present. You have the right to be represented by an attorney at this hearing.

Defective Equipment

• If an officer certifies on your copy of the ticket that the violation has been corrected and your copy of the ticket is presented to the court on or before the due date, the ticket may be waived.
• If an officer certifies on your copy of the ticket that the violation has been corrected, and your copy of the ticket is presented to the court after the due date, a $50 late charge will be assessed.
• If the violation has not been corrected by the due date, then fines and costs will total $115, plus a late charge of $50.

No Proof of Insurance

• If your vehicle was covered with insurance at the time the ticket was issued, and your proof is presented to the court by the due date, the fines and costs will be reduced to $25.
• If your vehicle was covered with insurance at the time the ticket was issued and your proof is presented to the court after the due date, the fines and costs will be $160.
• You must present written proof of insurance in person for the fine to be reduced. Phone copies are not accepted due to financial auditing requirements.

No Proof of Registration - Civil Infraction

• If you have a valid certificate of registration on the date the ticket was issued and it is presented to the court by the due date, the ticket will be waived. You must present the actual certificate of registration for the fine to be waived. Phone copies are not accepted due to financial auditing requirements.
• If you do not have a valid certificate of registration on the date the ticket was issued, but obtain one and it is presented to the court by the due date, the fines and costs will be $115.
• If you do not have a valid certificate of registration on the date the ticket was issued, but obtain one and it is presented to the court after the due date, then the fines and costs will be $165 (including late fee).

2. Can I appeal a decision from an informal hearing?

Yes. You have seven days after an informal hearing to request an appeal. You must post a bond in the amount of the fine. A formal hearing will be scheduled in front of a judge. You may wish to have an attorney present for this hearing.

3. What if I fail to show up for the hearing or do not pay the ticket on time?

If you have been issued a ticket for a civil infraction and do not respond in one of the four ways indicated, a default judgment will be issued against you by the court. This could result in your driver's license being suspended by the Secretary of State's office. You have 10 days from the date of the ticket to either pay it or schedule a hearing. On the 45th day following the 10th day, your license will go into suspension. If your license is suspended, it will cost you additional money to have it reinstated. The court will give you a clearance form which you must carry for two months until the Secretary of State clears your license on the statewide computer system.