If you were recently pulled over for speeding or another traffic violation, it’s important to consult a traffic ticket attorney in New Jersey. If you don’t know the facts regarding traffic tickets, you could make the wrong decisions. Here are some common misconceptions about traffic tickets that you shouldn’t believe.
If You Were Just Driving with the Flow of Traffic, Your Speeding Ticket Will Get Dismissed
Just because other drivers are going 10, 20 or 30 miles over the speed limit, doesn’t mean that you should. In fact, following the flow of traffic isn’t a valid excuse for getting a speeding ticket thrown out. That’s why you should pay careful attention to the posted speed limits and always stay within those limits.
If the Police Officer Doesn’t Come to Court, the Judge Will Dismiss Your Traffic Ticket
Many people who receive a traffic ticket hope that the police officer doesn’t show up to the initial hearing. They mistakenly believe that the judge will automatically dismiss their ticket. However, this isn’t how things always work. In many cases, the officer only has to come to the initial hearing if you appeal it.
If You Don’t Sign a Traffic Ticket, It Will Get Thrown Out
This is another common myth about traffic tickets that many people fall for. The truth is that signing a traffic ticket isn’t admitting to guilt. All it means is that you received the ticket. If you refuse to sign the ticket and try to argue that you never received it, the judge won’t believe you. Police officers have other evidence that they pulled you over for a traffic violation.
Fighting a Traffic Ticket Isn’t Worth Money
Some drivers just pay their traffic tickets because they assume fighting it will cost them more money. However, pleading guilty to a ticket automatically may actually be more expensive in the long run. For example, your auto insurance rates may skyrocket. If you get your charge reduced or dismissed with the help of a traffic lawyer, you may be better off in the long run.
Clerical Errors on a Traffic Ticket Are Grounds for Dismissal
Sometimes police officers make clerical mistakes on traffic tickets, such as spelling a name incorrectly or listing the wrong address. However, these errors aren’t enough to get your ticket dismissed.
If you have a traffic ticket, consult a traffic ticket attorney, like one from Rispoli & Borneo P.C.