Why Fight a Traffic Ticket?

For people with a busy schedule, time is money. Contesting a traffic citation seems too expensive and annoying to bother with when the option is mailing a check. Unfortunately, paying out a traffic citation can produce collateral results that create far more expense and annoyance.

Traffic Violations are Detrimental to Insurance Coverage

Even one moving violation can affect insurance rates, denying you a good driver discount. A moving violation which is later followed by an accident, even an accident that is not your fault, may cause termination of a policy or a substantial increase in premiums that can last for years. Even though points drop off your license within two or three years in most states, insurance companies are not bound by the rules of your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Some insurance companies go back 5 or even 7 years when calculating your premium rate. Even a small increase in premium adds up when it can last for years. Enough points on your license within the DMV time period will also result in a license suspension. In Ohio that means taking a safe driving course, obtaining a financial responsibility bond, and retaking the driving exam before your driving privileges are restored.

Traffic Violations in Other States

Don't assume that you will have to appear in person to avoid points or a moving violation, and don't assume that you can safely ignore a citation from another state. Getting a citation in another state while on vacation or traveling for work can no longer be ignored. All states now belong to an interstate compact that enables them to enforce payment or a court appearance, whichever is required by your citation. If you simply ignore the citation, your home state will be notified, and your license will be suspended until you pay the citation and any reinstatement fees required by both states. While you generally must appear in court to contest a citation, many courts permit an attorney to appear and enter a plea on your behalf. The attorney may be able to have the matter dismissed if the officer fails to appear, or be able to negotiate a plea to an offense that does not add points to your license.

Ohio Insurance Liability Issues

In Ohio, if the officer does not report that you showed him proof of liability insurance, you will receive a license suspension for failing to prove financial responsibility, even if you actually did have insurance. You will have to prove to the DMV that insurance was in effect to remove the suspension. Some offenses which are considered minor when they are a first offense become more serious if repeated. Paying out that ticket for reckless operation, for example, means that the next reckless operation citation requires a court appearance and carries potential jail time.

Traffic Violation Records are Permanent

You should also know that only points drop off your license with time. The record of your conviction is permanent. Traffic convictions cannot be expunged in Ohio. They remain on your record for life, and it is a public record. Potential employers and insurance companies will be able to see any conviction on your record, no matter how old. Any judge that you appear before in the future will have your entire record to consider. This could become important in many areas of your life.

Before you add to your permanent record by paying a citation, consider what effect it might have on your future, and decide if it is worth the time and cost of contesting the charges while you can.

• This page is provided for informational purposes only. If you need advice regarding a traffic violation,
  click here to talk to Elizabeth Agar or a Traffic Violation Lawyer near you.