How to Answer a Vehicle and Traffic Ticket
There are a few options available when answering a traffic ticket. You may plea by mail to all offenses except misdemeanors (example: DWI’s, aggravated unlicensed operation, etc.). If you have a question about whether you were charged with a misdemeanor or not, please contact the court for clarification. Court clerks can answer concerning court procedures, but they are not permitted to give legal advice.
If you wish to plead guilty, you may sign and date part A, (plea of guilty), and mail it to the court at the address shown on your ticket. The court will mail you back a fine notice.
If you wish to plead not guilty, you may sign and date part B, (plea of not guilty), and mail it to the court at the address shown onyour ticket. The Court will schedule you for a pre-trial conference and you will be notified by mail of the new date to appear. Note: If pleading not guilty and you want a supporting deposition, you may request one upon timely application. A supporting deposition is a written factual account of the traffic stop and is supplied to you and the court by the arresting officer.
If you do not wish to plea by mail, but would rather speak to a judge, you must appear on the date listed on the bottom of your ticket.