If there is one thing that everyone in the world hates, it is a traffic ticket. While many people try to get out of them, unfortunately they may find themselves sitting right in traffic court trying to settle it. There are an array of traffic violations that a motorist may face at any time. One of the most common violations occurs when you make an improper turn onto a one-way street. Some people are easily found guilty of this violation, even if it was not their intent to make that turn or if they did not know that the street was a one way street. Whatever the case may be, if you were given a ticket for this, then depending on the state that you live in you will need to either pay a fine or show up to court with a proper defense.
Getting a Ticket for an Improper Turn
Let’s say that you live in the state of Texas – Austin, Texas to be exact. If you were to get a ticket for making a wrong turn on to a one way street, then the fine that you would be expected to pay could be anywhere from $167 to $200. That is a steep price to pay for making a wrong turn. So, what should you do? You could opt not to pay the fine but to show up to court. If you decide to go that route, you will need to have “all of your ducks lined up.”
Basically, when you go to traffic court, you will need to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
- If you plead no contest then you are basically saying that you are willing to pay the fine but are not admitting guilt. As a result, your ticket may be dismissed altogether if you go to traffic school.
- If you plead not guilty, then you are not admitting to being guilty of the violation and will be referred to a prosecutor regarding your case.
- Finally, if you plead guilty, then you have admitted to being guilty as charged and the infraction will be reported and placed on your driving record. Depending on the state that you live in, you will need to ask about the number of points you on your license you will receive. Additionally, you should contact your local department of motor vehicles in order to better understand how having such a traffic violation will affect your license.
Getting Help
If you are serious about fighting a traffic ticket for an improper turn, you need to consult with a qualified lawyer. Your lawyer can either help you to present a convincing defense so you are found innocent or can help to arrange a plea bargain with the prosecutor assigned to your case.
