What are the disadvantages to not going to court to contest a traffic ticket?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket, you can request for trial by written declaration. When you request a trial by written declaration, you need not appear in court.

You can request for trial by written declaration and send in a statement to the court explaining why you are not guilty. You may include documentary evidence along with your statement. You must deposit the bail amount at the time you make a request for trial by written declaration. Once the court receives your statement and request, the issuing officer will be asked to submit his or her statement. The court will consider the statements and make a decision. If the decision is against you, based on your state laws you can make a request for a new trial wherein you have to appear before the court. You must make this request within a certain number of days as prescribed under your state law.

The biggest advantage of not going to court to contest a traffic ticket is that you will not have the right to cross examine the officer who issued the traffic ticket. In a trail by written declaration it’s your statement against the officer’s statement. You cannot question the officer on the officer’s version of the event. In a court trial, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the traffic violation as charged. You can use the cross examination to discredit the officer’s credibility. An experienced traffic tickets attorney can help you contest a traffic ticket in court.