Know Your Options

You have two plea options: "guilty" or "not guilty" (the Nebraska court does not recognize the "no contest" plea). Regardless of how you plea, you must enter it with the court before the appearance date on your traffic citation expires. If you cannot find your ticket, learn what to do in our Lost Traffic Ticket section.

What it Means to Fight Your NE Traffic Ticket

Challenging a traffic ticket means:

• You have decided to exercise your right to challenge the charge in court.
• You have the option to represent yourself or hire legal counsel.
• After hearing your defense, the court may rule in your favor and reduce charges or dismiss the ticket. You're still responsible for paying court fees and, if applicable, legal fees.
• Or after hearing your defense, the court rules you guilty. You must pay fines, court fees and, if applicable, legal fees. Points will be assigned to your driving record (but you might have the option to reduce points).

Pleading Guilty

Pleading guilty surrenders your right to a trial. No court appearance is required. Your traffic fine payment serves as your admission of guilt. For more on this option, visit our section on Paying Your Traffic Ticket.

Enter Your Plea On Time

Not entering a plea leads to bigger consequences. The court may suspend your Nebraska driver's license or, in extreme situations, issue a bench warrant for your arrest.

Notify the Nebraska Court

You must appear at the court on the day scheduled on your citation to enter a "not guilty" plea. This is referred to as an arraignment. After entering your plea, most courts will issue a trial date. In some instances, a court may instead issue a Docket Call, which is a status hearing to learn if you plan to hire legal counsel and if your case can be resolved outside of court.

Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney

If your budget allows, consider hiring a traffic ticket lawyer. Wise to the ways of the Nebraska court, a traffic ticket attorney will use this experience to your advantage, possibly increasing your changes for a favorable ruling.

Prepare Your Case

If you elect to represent yourself, you'll need to prepare a defense. This may include ordering your driving record and subpoenaing witnesses.

Plead Your Case Before a Judge or Jury

After the trial the judge will either find you guilty or not guilty. If found guilty, points will be assessed to your driving record and you'll be required to pay all fines and fees. Keep in mind that you do have the option to appeal the decision.

Check Your Driving Record

Regardless of verdict, check your driving record after the trial. Verify that the point amount is accurate. Knowing your exact point total will help you decide if you should look into trimming points from your record by enrolling in a state-approved defensive driving course.

Shop for Better Auto Insurance Rates

Points on your driving record may cause a jump in your car insurance rates. You can counter a rate hike by shopping for a new provider. Find the best coverage at the best price by comparing auto insurance rates online.