Fight Traffic Ticket in Mississippi

Wrongly cited? Don't stand for a ticket you didn't deserve.

You can fight your Mississippi traffic ticket by pleading not guilty and going to court.

Read below to find out more about the process and what you can expect while fighting your MS traffic ticket.

Pleading Not Guilty in Mississippi

The process of pleading “not guilty" to your Mississippi traffic ticket varies by county and city.

Your traffic citation should include important information like:

  • Your initial court date where you will have your arraignment.
  • The court's location and contact information.

If you wish to contest your traffic ticket, you will have the opportunity to plead not guilty at your arraignment.

Time frames are especially important, as missing a deadline to plead not guilty could result in legal penalties. Examine your traffic ticket closely for the proper instructions.

*NOTE: Pleading not guilty means you believe you did not violate the law in question. It's strongly recommended to have some evidence supporting this claim before going to court.

Fighting Your MS Traffic Ticket

Once the court accepts your “not guilty" plea, you will be issued a trial date.

You're not guaranteed a court-appointed lawyer in MS for traffic violations, so consider hiring a Mississippi traffic ticket attorney. Otherwise, you'll represent yourself in court.

At your trial, you or your lawyer can:

  • Argue the law.
  • Question the officer who issued your citation.
  • Call witnesses.
  • Present evidence in your favor.

After your trial, the judiciary official in charge will rule on your case, deeming you either guilty or not guilty.

Potential Costs

The fine on your traffic ticket isn't the only cost you should worry about when fighting a citation. Keep these additional factors in mind:

  • Additional fees charged by the court.
  • Time off work to attend your arraignment/trial.
  • Attorney fees (if applicable).
  • Increased auto insurance if you lose.
What's Up with My Insurance Rate?

If you lose your case, you could pay the price—literally. Find out why traffic tickets increase your auto insurance rates, and possibly pick up some tips on how to avoid this.

Consequences of Fighting Your Ticket

At your MS traffic ticket trial, the judiciary official will weigh all evidence and testimony and either rule for you or against you.

If you're found not guilty, you will NOT:

  • Have the violation noted on your driving record.
  • Be responsible for payment of the traffic ticket fine.

Make sure that all paperwork is finalized and any other aspects of the process are wrapped up before leaving the courthouse.

On the other hand, if you're found guilty, you could have to deal with any or all of the following:

  • Paying additional court fees.
  • The incident remaining on your driving record.
  • Paying your traffic fine.
  • Points added to your license.
  • A license suspension, depending on the severity of the violation.

Make sure to double-check with your traffic ticket attorney or court officials about how to proceed after your trial.

On the Record

Your driver record is an important document! Make sure it's as accurate as possible after your traffic ticket fight by ordering a copy of your MS driving record for review.

Missing Your Court Date

Making your court date is vital. If you miss it, you could be looking at heavy penalties, including the possibilities of:

  • Jail time.
  • Additional fines.
  • Having your license suspended.
  • A warrant issued for your arrest.

If you don't think you'll be able to make it to your court date, contact the appropriate county court clerk as soon as possible.

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