How to Dismiss a Speeding Ticket in Nevada
You will find that throughout the country, and in fact throughout each state, courts handle speeding tickets differently. If you’ve gotten a Nevada speeding ticket, you can do one of two things: fess up, and plead “guilty/no contest,” or challenge it by pleading “not guilty.”
What Do These Terms Mean?
By pleading guilty, or no contest, you are admitting your guilt, and in doing this you waive your right to a trial by court. Once you’ve paid the fine, there is nothing else you need to do (except drive a little safer next time!). Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with getting the occasional ticket. It happens to almost everyone.
Notify the Nevada Court
Either way, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with the court that’s handling your case. It doesn’t matter if you’re pleading guilty, not guilty, or you happened to lose your ticket, you must adhere to the due date you were cited with. Failure to do this will result in a bench warrant for your arrest, and you don’t want that.
Legal Representation?
If you’re pleading not guilty, and you are going to appear in court, you have to decide whether or not to hire a traffic ticket attorney. On the one hand, they can be pricey, and spending the money still isn’t a guarantee that you’re getting your charge dropped – Nevada traffic ticket fines are already expensive, without the additional cost of a lawyer. But on the other hand, they probably have a much better chance of getting your charge dropped than you do.
If you opt not to hire an attorney, plan to do a boatload of research. The better prepared you are, the better your chances. Make detailed notes about the incident – write out exactly what happened, so if your story and the officer’s differ, you might be able to prove you were innocent after all. In addition, thoroughly examine your ticket – are there any errors or inaccuracies? Use them to discredit the entire citation.
Take an Online Ticket Dismissal Course
One way to prove to the court that you’re a responsible driver who just happened to have a momentary lapse in judgment is by enrolling in a Nevada traffic school course. There are many benefits to doing this. You could dismiss 3 points from your driving record, or if you take it proactively, you could earn a 3-point credit. You also could earn a safe driver discount on your insurance policy (every insurance company is different, so you’ll have to check with your provider).
There are a few rules, though, before taking the course. You first must already have a valid Nevada drivers license – if you have a suspended Nevada license, you are ineligible. You cannot have taken the course within the last 12 months. In addition, you must have fewer than 12 points on your record, and of course, no pending traffic violations.
What Happens Next?
Now that you understand how to dismiss a speeding ticket in Nevada, you have a decision to make – will you fight it, or just pay it? Following the hearing, you will certainly want to check your driving record to ensure the verdict is reflected. You’re responsible for this, and if you happen to get pulled over again, and if for whatever reason your previous case isn’t reflected on your record, you could face stiffer penalties, and even license suspension. Also, you should take this opportunity to carefully consider your driving habits.
