What Happens if You Ignore a Traffic Ticket?

Ignoring a traffic ticket can lead to a suspended driver’s license, increased fines, and possible arrest. A traffic ticket generally isn’t as serious as a criminal arrest, but failing to address the ticket and fines can hurt your record. A traffic ticket lawyer can help you clear up an old ticket and keep your driving record clear.

Traffic ticket laws vary by state. Some states take traffic violations more seriously. For legal advice on what to do with a speeding ticket, talk to a local traffic ticket attorney.

Consequences of Ignoring a Traffic Ticket

Most traffic tickets involve paying a fine or fixing a problem with your car. Most motorists can pay the fine, and nothing will be left to worry about. However, traffic tickets do affect your driving record.

Most states use a point-based system, adding points to your driver record with each traffic violation. Points can increase your insurance premiums. With too many points, your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your license.

Higher insurance rates and suspension of driving privileges result from getting a traffic ticket. Ignoring a traffic ticket can be more serious. Possible consequences of failing to deal with your traffic violations can include:

• Higher insurance costs
• Suspended driver’s license
• Driver’s license revocation
• Increased fines and penalties
• A bench warrant for your arrest
• Impounded vehicle
• Lower credit score

Legal and Financial Risks

Ignoring a traffic ticket can result in legal and financial risks, depending on the type of violation. Generally, moving violations are more serious than parking tickets. Some driving violations are criminal offenses, like driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. They can affect your criminal record as well as your driving record.

When you get a ticket, it will appear on your driving record unless you fight it and win. Sometimes, you can go through traffic school to keep a minor infraction off your record. The most immediate financial consequences of failing to respond to a traffic ticket include:

• Higher insurance company rates
• Fines and court costs
• Fix-it costs

The police generally won’t hunt you down for unpaid traffic tickets. However, a bench warrant can stay on your record. Any future traffic stops will show your warrant, and the police can take you into custody. Some people have a warrant for traffic tickets they never even knew about. Dealing with a traffic ticket can help you avoid the embarrassment and costs of an arrest warrant.

Steps To Address an Ignored Ticket

There are many legitimate reasons for not dealing with a ticket. You may have forgotten about the traffic violation because a lot is happening in your life. Some traffic tickets get mailed to the wrong address. Even if you call your local traffic court, they may not have any record of the violation for weeks after you get the ticket.

If you get notice of a traffic violation, contact the traffic court to find out about your next steps. You can either pay the fine and plead guilty or challenge the ticket for most tickets. You can challenge the violation by mail in many states without appearing in person. You can also go to the court on your court date and plead not guilty.

If you challenge the ticket and win, you can avoid the fines and higher insurance costs. You can also ask the judge to reduce the fine or offer traffic school to keep the ticket off your record.

Contact a traffic ticket attorney to find out about your legal options. Your lawyer can appear for most traffic violations, so you don’t have to go to court. The cost of a traffic ticket lawyer can be lower than paying for higher car insurance.

Out-of-State Traffic Tickets

Some people think that an out-of-state traffic ticket won’t affect their driving record in their home state. Most states share traffic violation information through the Driver’s License Compact (CLC). If you get a New York traffic ticket for running a red light, the DMV in South Carolina can see the traffic offense.

Out-of-state unpaid traffic tickets can be harder to deal with because you must go through the traffic court to clear up problems with your license in another state. You may need to contact a traffic ticket attorney in the other state to clear your local driving record.

Seeking Legal Assistance

A traffic violation lawyer can help you understand your legal options and clear your driving record. Drivers may not want to go to court to handle an old traffic ticket because they may have a bench warrant for their arrest. Going to court can end in an arrest. An attorney can help you clear up an old ticket and get the warrant removed.For help with a traffic ticket you didn’t get around to paying, talk to a local traffic ticket lawyer for legal advice.