Fight Traffic Ticket in Kentucky
Written up for a traffic violation you didn't commit? Don't get mad: fight your ticket!
You can plead not guilty and take the matter to court to prove your innocence.
Read below to find out how to fight your Kentucky traffic ticket and what you can expect during the process.
Pleading Not Guilty in Kentucky
How to contest your traffic ticket in KY varies by county.
Check your Kentucky traffic ticket for specific information regarding:
- Which Kentucky court to contact.
- Phone numbers and addresses.
- How to contact the court, whether:
- In person.
- Via mail.
- Over the phone.
- A deadline to respond or court date.
- In many cases, you could be penalized for failing to respond within the timeframe.
- The court date will be the day of your arraignment where you will officially plead guilty in front of a judge.
*NOTE: Pleading not guilty means you're officially taking the stance that you did not violate the law in question. It's highly recommended to have evidence to back you up before going to court.
Fighting Your KY Traffic Ticket
After informing the court that you're contesting your ticket, you should receive information on where and when your court date will take place.
You will not be provided with a court-appointed attorney for a KY traffic court case, so you may want to look into hiring a Kentucky traffic ticket lawyer. Otherwise, you'll represent yourself in court.
After the court records your official plea, it will schedule your trial. It's not guaranteed that your trial will take place on the same day as your arraignment, so plan ahead for the possibility of multiple trips to the courthouse.
At your trial, you or your lawyer will get the chance to:
- Question a police department representative.
- Call witnesses.
- Present other evidence.
- Argue the law.
After each side makes their case, a judicial officer will render a judgment.
Potential Costs
Your original violation isn't the only cost you could be on the hook for if you fight your KY traffic ticket.
There are a number of financial factors you should consider when weighing whether or not to go to court, including:
- Hiring a KY traffic ticket attorney.
- Additional court fines.
- Time off work to attend court.
- A higher auto insurance rate.
If you lose your case, you could lose control over your car insurance rate. Don't get stuck paying a higher fee. Find out how to avoid higher car insurance rates.
Consequences of Fighting Your Ticket
At the conclusion of the trial, the judiciary official in charge will make a ruling.
If you are found not guilty, the case will simply be dismissed, and you will NOT:
- Need to pay the KY traffic ticket fine.
- Have the violation on your driving record.
However, if you lose and are found guilty, it will remain on your record, and you could have to:
- Have the citation added to your driving record.
- Pay the original fine.
- Pay additional court fees.
Depending on how severe the infraction was, a guilty ruling could also potentially mean:
Ask the judiciary official or your traffic ticket attorney about ensuring the process is wrapped up and any other potential consequences of losing your case.
A court case could alter the course of your driving record! Make sure the document accurately reflects the outcome of your trial by ordering a copy of your Kentucky driving record for review.
Missing Your Court Date
Failing to show at court is often accompanied by several penalties. If you miss your traffic court date, you could potentially be looking at a number of repercussions, including:
- A warrant issued for your arrest.
- Additional fines and fees.
- License suspension.
- Points added to your license.
- The violation going on your record.
If you realize your court date won't work for you, it's strongly recommended to call the appropriate court as soon as possible and ask to reschedule.