If you receive a citation, it is important to review the ticket and inspect it for mistakes. While mistakes are not common, they can happen. But don't panic if you come across a mistake. There are ways to fight these errors and have the tickets dismissed. Before you request a trial or put in your plea, you'll need to prepare your case and understand what mistakes were made.
Review the citation carefully and note the bail due date. This amount can range from tens of dollars to hundreds of dollars. The citation number, bail amount, issue date, due date and violation information are located in the right-hand corner of the citation notice followed by the issuing courthouse.
Contact the clerk office or visit the court and request a continuation. A continuation is available for such reasons as scheduling conflicts, sickness, travel plans or work commitments. Use this time to collect additional information about the case, review witness statements (if available), review the facts of the case or hire an attorney (if possible).
Request a trial. Now that you have reviewed the case, request a trial date and hire an attorney if necessary. You may also request a hearing to examine potential errors in the officer's statements or violations listed on the ticket. The purpose of the hearing is to request a dismissal or to argue the validity of the citation. If a hearing is denied or the case is not immediately dismissed, you must request a trial in order to fight the mistakes on the traffic tickets. You must enter a plea at this time.
Provide evidence. If witness statements are available or other evidence has been collected, use these facts to write a summary of the incident. Aim for evidence that is not subject to opinion. Provide photos of the location, especially if large trees, hard-to-view signage or other elements could have influenced the incident. For example, if you wish to claim the officer could not have witnessed you run the stop sign because his view was obstructed from a large scrub, a photo could be provided to substantiate this argument. Using the photo, you can argue that you stopped momentarily, but as you reached the stop sign, you moved into a blind spot that prevented the officer from seeing you stop.
Make the officer prove his case and object as necessary. To object to hearsay, use statements like, "That is the officer's interpretation of the events and is inadmissible." Any mistakes that are the result of the officer's report can be dismissed or challenged. Make him prove guilt.
