Have you received a ticket that you're afraid will mar your driving record? Traffic citations can cause great harm to your finances and your future. No one wants to have violations on their record for years to come. And you may not have to. While 96% people who are issued a ticket pay it without going to court, the majority of those who do fight their tickets are successful. There are several keys to doing so. First, it helps to have a clean driving record. If that is true for you, and you contest your ticket, even if you don't win, the judge may plea bargain it down to a lesser charge. In addition, many judges will be lenient for a first offense and dismiss the ticket entirely. Finally, if the violation is not a serious one, you may be able to attend traffic school. Successful completion will often earn you that driving ticket dismissal.