Common Myths Surrounding Traffic Tickets
Although being fined for a traffic violation in South Carolina is a fairly straightforward process, many myths surrounding these fines and what constitutes as grounds for dismissal exist. Here are some of the most common myths about traffic tickets and why they are inaccurate.
Radar Inaccuracy Is Always Basis for Dismissal
In cases revolving around speeding, many law enforcement officials will use a radar gun device to determine how fast a driver is travelling. If the radar gun detects that the driver was travelling at a rate that exceeds the speed limit, the driver will likely be fined for speeding. However, these devices, if not calibrated correctly, can inaccurately detect speed. Although this can be used as evidence for the ticket to be dismissed in a court of law, drivers should remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean that this will occur.
Tickets From a Different State Do Not Impact a Person’s Driving Record
Many drivers believe that if they are fined for violating a traffic law in another state, they can ignore the citation. However, when a driver commits a traffic violation in one state, the information will be forwarded to the state in which he or she lives.
Tickets Without a Signature are Invalid
When a driver is pulled over for committing a traffic violation, the law enforcement official will often have the driver sign his or her ticket before concluding the traffic stop. Although a law enforcement official may fail to complete this part of the process, a ticket without a signature on it is still considered valid. The signature on a ticket simply acts as validation that the driver will show up at court on the specified date.
Law Enforcement Officials Never Attend Court
Many drivers wrongly believe that law enforcement officials never attend court hearings. As a result, drivers often assume that since law enforcement officials fail to attend court dates, their traffic fine will be dismissed. However, this is often part of a law enforcement official’s assigned duties. In many cases, the court will coordinate with the law enforcement official’s schedule so that he or she only has to attend court on one day. Even if the officer is not in court, Judges will often grant a continuance for officers who are away on training or other work related assignments.
In addition to these myths, many others persist that could negatively impact how drivers handle the legal process after they receive a traffic ticket. Drivers who want to make sure that they effectively handle their traffic ticket and ensure that they are able to defend themselves in a court of law can reach out to the attorneys at the office of Nosal & Jeter, LLP for legal assistance. We offer free consultation for all South Carolina traffic tickets.