Vermont classifies all traffic citations as civil violations, making a ticket for running a stop sign sound more severe than it really is. Despite the dire tone of "civil violation," such an offense is not considered a crime―but it does get recorded on your driving record.

The back of your ticket will contain all the information you will need to know: court dates, fees, payment deadlines, addresses, and phone numbers.

The state allows you 20 days to pay your traffic fine, unless of course, you decide to contest the ticket. If you choose to fight, you must submit the ticket with a plea of "DENIED."

You will then be required to make at least one court appearance to state your case in front of a judge, where it will be your word against the officer who issued you the ticket.

If you decide to pay the ticket, you must send a check (credit and debit cards are not accepted) to:

• Vermont Judicial Bureau

• P.O. Box 607

• White River Junction, VT 05001

If you cannot pay the fine within the 20-day limit, you must submit an extension form to the Vermont Judicial Bureau.

The bureau publishes answers online to some of the more frequently asked questions about responding to a traffic ticket.

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