Should out-of-towners return to contest traffic tickets?
There is nothing more relaxing than a much-deserved vacation. Taking some time off to enjoy the company of family and friends is something that people look forward to during the summer months. Many vacationers hit the open road for their summer trips. Unfortunately, this road often carries motorists right through a law enforcement officer’s radar.
In a state with as many popular tourist destinations such as Virginia, it is not uncommon to see many out-of-state drivers heading through the region. Some of these motorists may not be familiar with all of the rules that they must follow and may find themselves stopped by police. When these individuals are cited for traffic violations, they may be uncertain about what happens next.
There are many different potential violations for which motorists may receive citations. Each one of these tickets will have different requirements in place. Some matters may be simple and may not require the appearance of the out-of-town driver in court. These matters can usually be handled by a local attorney, or the individual may simply pay the fine and move on.
It should be noted that those motorists who decline to appear in court can lose their opportunity to tell their side of the story to the judge. This can make it very difficult to have any potential fines or charges reduced, so it is important that they understand the drawbacks of declining this appearance.
For criminal traffic violations, a motorist is typically required to appear in court when his or her matter is being adjudicated. These offenses typically carry the possibility of incarceration as well as bring significant fines and penalties. Further, the failure to appear for one of these offenses can be a separate criminal violation. As a result, it is essential that these motorists appear in court on their court date and are prepared to present their case to the court.
One of the most frequent violations that motorists may be charged with is reckless driving. Many out-of-state motorists are not aware that they can be charged with reckless driving if they are traveling over 80 miles-per-hour. With many speed limits in the region set at 70 mph, it can be easy for motorists to lose track of their speeds and be charged with these offenses.
If you are from out-of-state and have received a ticket for speeding or other traffic violation, you probably have a lot of questions about what you need to do to resolve the issue. It is important to discuss your specific situation with an experienced traffic violations attorney to understand your obligations.
An attorney can review the options that you have available to you, and discuss how the local courts handle these issues. If you need to appear in person, an attorney can discuss the matter with you, so that you are prepared for what will happen.
