-
Lost Traffic Ticket in Ohio
Determine Where You Were Ticketed
You must contact the court that was listed on your lost traffic citation. This requires determining where you were ticketed. If you can't recall the exact location, pinpoint the county.
Be sure to act fast. A plea must be entered before the citation's appearance date expires. The court will not accept, "I lost my traffic ticket" as a legitimate excuse. Failing to submit a plea will result in the loss of driving privileges and a possible bench warrant for your arrest.
Contact the Court
After determining the general location, contact the county's Municipal Court. The court clerk will explain the steps to take on entering a plea.
Determine How You Will Plead
Next, decide on how to plea. In Ohio you have three plea options:
- Guilty―This requires paying your ticket fine
- No contest―This also requires paying your ticket fine
- Not guilty―You must enter this plea in court on the day and time listed on your citation
Enter your plea before the citation's appearance date to avoid additional penalties.
Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)- Pay the fine
- Option to plea bargain penalties
- Incur points on your driving record (could lead to license suspension/revocation)
- Possibly incur increase on auto insurance rates
- Possibly have points reduced by attending a remedial driving school
Learn more about
Paying Your Traffic Ticket »Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)- Contest traffic ticket via trial
- Choose to represent yourself or hire an attorney
- Possibly lose option to plea bargain for lesser penalties
- No penalties if found not guilty, but must pay court/attorney fees
Learn more about
Fighting Your Traffic Ticket »Other Topics in This Section
- After getting ticketed, should I expect increased car insurance premiums?
- Are traffic ticket fines the same throughout Ohio?
- Why should I check my driving record after getting cited?
FAQs
- Why Officers Cop an Attitude
- Traffic Stop Dos and Don’ts
- Why Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney
- Traffic Ticket Myths
- Top Traffic Ticket Excuses
- How to Avoid a Vehicle Search
- Flirting Your Way Out of a Traffic Ticket
- Why Pay Traffic Tickets
Articles
Can't find something? Let us help you find it!
