You have been cited for speeding and you are wondering if you should pay the fine or go to trafic court and talk to the judge. You were only going 15 miles over the speed limit and this is your first violation. Attending trafic court has some advantages: Many judges are willing to offer first offender status for even minor traffic violations. You may still have to pay the fine but the conviction will not be on your record. Just make sure you don't get another ticket in the next year. You may be able to get the judge to reduce the charges. A conviction for a seat belt violation is better than a conviction for speeding and if you live in a state with a points system, you may not see any points on your driving record. If you are really concerned about the impact of a traffic conviction on your record, consult an attorney. He or she will be able to guide you as to what you should do.