GUILTY!
How to Minimize the Consequences

Lessen your losses if you're found guilty in traffic court.

By Damon Dallah

This website is all about helping you beat your traffic ticket, especially those evil speeding tickets. However, nothing is a sure thing and you have to accept the fact you could very well lose your case.

Not even the best lawyer in town can win them all. No matter how well you've prepared and how good of a defense you put up, you still can be found guilty. This is by no means to discourage you from fighting your ticket, but you should at least except the fact you could lose.

If you do happen to lose your court case, there is still much you can do to minimize the consequences. This page will lay out for you some options you may have to help you do just that.

Installment payments

There is often a chance that you can pay your fine in installments rather than one lump sum. Most judges are very understanding when it comes to paying fines. As long as the court doesn't have to wait too long to get their money, you can pay it off over an extended period.

However, bear in mind you may have to show proof of financial hardships to pay over time. What I suggest you do is create an itemized list of your income and monthly expenses.

Some things to include on this list are:

Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Auto, Health, Life Insurance
Electric Bill
Gas Bill
Phone bill
Student Loans/Schooling
Medical/Dental Bills
Gasoline
Clothing
Recent divorce

Some things NOT to include would be:

Cable bill (HBO, Playboy, etc.)
Alcohol, drug, or tobacco expenses
Gambling debts
Internet porn bills
Hobby expenses
Motel/hotel expenses
Your last traffic ticket installment plan

It might be a good idea to have this list ready when you go to court, just in case. This way if you get found guilty and the judge imposes a fine, you will have a greater ability to convince the judge to give you an installment plan.

Special driving privileges

If this guilty verdict has cost you your license and the ability to continue driving your vehicle, most judges will still allow you to continue driving as long as it is to and from a particular place.

There are laws in almost every state that allow a person limited or restricted driving privileges, during a license suspension. For example, if you can show the judge, (by bringing your above list with you to court), that by not being able to drive your car your livelihood will be greatly effected, he'll more than likely allow you to drive to and from work only.

Such a deal will greatly reduce the hardships that not driving your vehicle can cause. Be sure to ask the judge nicely and explain your situation.

Reduced fines

You may also be able to get the judge to give you a reduced fine. One way to do this (if applicable) is to bring up your good driving history. With your driving record in hand, point out to the judge that you are a law abiding citizen and this particular ticket is not indicative of your driving habits.

When he sees your good driving record, he'll feel more inclined to offer you a reduced penalty. This is one reason to always bring your driving record to court (if of course it shows a good past history).

You can get a copy of your driving record here .

Appealing

If you gave a good defense and pointed out many mistakes on the officer's part or if you asked the officer for evidence he could not produce and still lost your case, then an appeal would be a wise decision.

A higher court will review your case and once they see you gave a valid defense and the officer clearly made mistakes or couldn't supply proof per your request, they will more than likely overturn the judge's decision and find you not guilty or at least give you another trial to defend yourself.

New trial

I saved the best one for last. Did you know that if you get found guilty in traffic court, under certain conditions you can be granted a totally new trial and it will be in front of a different judge?

The fact is, not many people know about this fascinating secret the traffic courts have done so well in hiding from you. But it's true.

In the event you get found guilty, there is a very good probability you can get a second chance to defend yourself. At your second trial, you'll have a much better feel for how they plan to convict you and can counterattack much more efficiently.

This never talked about secret can be found inside Beat the System.