What will traffic court be like

Log in Sign Up. Save Word. Definition of traffic court. Examples of traffic court in a Sentence She has to be in traffic court this morning. Recent Examples on the Web In other cases, officers were encouraged not to show up to testify at traffic court , or to feign amnesia on the stand. First Known Use of traffic court , in the meaning defined above. Learn More About traffic court.

Share traffic court Post the Definition of traffic court to Facebook Share the Definition of traffic court on Twitter. The high volume of people that appear before a judge in a busy traffic court is overwhelming.

When your name is called, you will be asked to step forward to face charges. You will already have been sworn in so this part goes fast. If you have evidence, get it out and ready while you are waiting. Review all of your notes when there are just a few cases ahead of you so that everything is fresh on your mind.

But it does help tremendously to be prepared with the facts. The officer did not show, so you win. It still depends on the court ruling. Also, police officers are generally trusted by the courts.

They are often given the benefit of the doubt that they gave the ticket for a valid reason. Accusing them of lying, unfair treatment or otherwise being suspect is never looked upon favorably. The rundown below will give you a good idea of what to expect from the moment you arrive: You appear at court on the date of your subpoena.

Everyone will be sworn in as a group. Rise and go to the witness box or one of two tables that face the judge. Follow the questions and instructions by all court officers and the judge. In most traffic cases, the government's evidence consists of only the testimony of the officer who gave the ticket.

In some states, prosecuting attorneys represent the state in traffic court trials. But in many states, there aren't prosecutors in traffic court. So, depending on whether there is a prosecutor, the officer will either answer questions posed by the prosecutor or just tell the story and answer any questions the judge might have. When the officer is finished, the driver or driver's attorney has an opportunity to cross-examine the officer and ask questions of their own.

Despite the informalities of traffic court, the rules of evidence still apply. So, the driver or driver's attorney can make objections to the officer's testimony or other evidence presented by the government.

Once the government has presented all of its evidence, the driver has a chance to present evidence. The driver might want to testify or present physical evidence like photos and the like.

For example, for a stop sign ticket , a driver might want to present a photo to the court showing the sign was obscured by tree branches. Or, if a driver was cited for a basic speed law violation unsafe speed , he or she might want to testify that road and weather conditions were good at the time of the alleged violation.

Some judges might allow for closing arguments. But, typically, traffic court judges announce the verdict—find the defendant guilty or not guilty—once the parties are done presenting evidence. In most cases, judges state the amount of the fine immediately after announcing a guilty verdict.

In some states, a driver might still be able to do traffic school even after being convicted at trial. Do not interrupt the justice when they are speaking, as there are certain things they need to explain to you. The evidence against you The police officer will present their case first. They will swear an oath to tell the truth or make a solemn affirmation , and then tell the justice about what they saw and why they gave you the ticket.

Sometimes, police officers appear by telephone rather than in person. They may also call additional witnesses to describe what happened. The reason the police officer goes first is that you are presumed to be innocent and they must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

If they provide no evidence or not enough evidence in the hearing, you will be found not guilty. Because the police officer is a person in authority, the police officer must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that when you spoke to them, you spoke voluntarily. You are entitled to be a witness in the mini-hearing and tell the justice about what you saw and heard the police officer say and do and how that made you feel. However, if you agree that you spoke voluntarily to the officer no mini-hearing is necessary, and the officer will tell the justice what they believe you said.

If voluntariness is proven , what the police officer states that you said will be part of the evidence for the justice to consider in the hearing on your traffic ticket. If voluntariness is not proven , the justice will ignore all the testimony in the mini-hearing, including everything the police officer states that you said at the traffic stop. If you do testify or call witnesses, the police officer can question you and try to undermine your case the same way that you were able to question the police officer and their witnesses.

However, being a witness yourself or calling other people as witnesses is the only way the justice can consider your side of the story.