A judge in traffic court has a great deal of authority to adjudicate a ticket. The arresting officer also has a great deal of power to either cause you to be found guilty or to allow your case to be dismissed. If you do not have powerful and indisputable evidence, some judges will not listen to your argument. It is often your best hope to get the judge to dismiss the ticket as a first offense. He can also dismiss the ticket if you successfully attend traffic school. If you believe that you have a defense for a complicated charge, you may want to hire a lawyer. He can help you understand your chances and advise you about which strategy to use. In addition, while he may cost more money than you would like to pay, he will often work on a contingency basis. You must also realize that even if the lawyer costs more than the ticket, a dismissal relieves you of insurance rate increases and repeat offense penalties.