While most people simply pay their traffic tickets, which results in a black mark on their driving records and higher auto insurance costs, it is important to know that you have other options, as well. You may choose to contest your traffic ticket for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you don't believe that you really committed the traffic violation for which you received the ticket. Maybe you were in an emergency situation that you felt required you to exceed the speed limit. Whatever the case may be, you have the right to appear in court and contest your traffic ticket, rather than simply admitting guilt to and paying your traffic ticket. If you have a relatively clean driving record, it may be possible to enter into an agreement with the prosecutor, which is sometimes called a diversion program, which allows you to pay a fine and keep the ticket off your driving record, so long as you do not receive any traffic tickets for a specified period of time. This option will allow you to both resolve your traffic ticket, and avoid negative information on your driving record, which ultimately will result in increased insurance premiums.