Minor traffic violations, including speeding tickets, are typically criminal law cases, but may be heard in special traffic courts rather than general courts of jurisdiction, particularly in larger urban areas. However, the likelihood of a speeding ticket resulting in incarceration is slim. The only circumstances in which jail might result, at least indirectly, from a speeding ticket, is if you failed to appear at your court hearing, which could result in a warrant being issued in some states, or if you have a more serious traffic violation such as reckless driving, or you are repeat offender. Your actual speeding ticket is, in effect, a summons to appear in court at a certain date and time in order to address your speeding ticket. In most cases, you can simply sign the ticket, acknowledge your guilt, and make your speeding ticket payment according to a fee schedule that you should receive along with your speeding ticket.