What to Expect at a Traffic Court Hearing

Getting a traffic ticket is an annoyance to many people and is especially irritating if your offense was so minor that you don’t believe you deserved a ticket in the first place. Whether this is your first offense or the first offense you want to be reduced or eliminated from your driving record, it is best to know what to expect in court before you get there to ensure the best outcome for yourself.

In general, most routine traffic tickets go through a set of procedures that are very quick and you will be in a room with other individuals with similar tickets. There will be a date and time on your ticket as well as a location where you must appear to contest the ticket. Be sure to show up on time and dress in nice clothes. The group will be sworn in and then the clerk will begin calling names one at a time. Each person will go up to the front or to a witness box and stand before the judge.

Be sure to only speak when it is your turn and be respectful. Your behavior during this time can quickly impact your ticket and the outcome, from being completely dismissed to having your license suspended. If you have witnesses, they will also be sworn in and will go up with you when your name is called.

The clerk or judge will state the facts of your case and then you will have an option to ask for other motions. In more serious cases, you might request a continuance if you need more time to gather evidence or decide you want an attorney present with you. In some cases, you might be able to request a dismissal if for example:

  • You were not provided a copy of the officer’s notes as you previously requested
  • The officer did not appear in court for you to cross-examine them

Your case might not be complex, but there are usually multiple components to the trial including:

  • Opening statements from prosecution and yourself
  • Prosecution’s testimony
  • Your cross-examination of the officer
  • Your testimony
  • Witness testimony if you have brought any eyewitnesses
  • Closing statements from prosecution and yourself

Hiring an Attorney

Depending on the severity of your charges, you might consider hiring a traffic ticket lawyer, like a traffic ticket attorney in Newark from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. This is especially important if the points being added to your record could cause your driver’s license to be suspended. Having an experienced attorney on your side is also useful if you are facing charges such as a DUI or reckless driving. It becomes more crucial if you caused an accident and property damage or injuries to other drivers or pedestrians.