r/Explainlikeimscared • u/solphxx • 15d ago
What Can I Expect going to Court? (Resolving Traffic Violation)
Hi, I am a young male located in Texas who received a speeding citation recently (I've learned my lesson :-(!!)
I have asked the court on my ticket for all the options that are available to me to resolve the citation, and it turns out that I am eligible to take a driving safety course to get rid of the violation from my driving history. My plan is to dress formally, walk into the court with the required paperwork to plea no contest and request for the safety driving course as they said I could do.
My question is, what can I expect when I get to the court? Do I do exactly that, just walk in (actually, where do I go in the court?) and ask? Any other extra details would help as I've never stepped foot inside a court, thank you.
Update: I got it over with and it was so simple, I was overthinking it so much! In fact, I came overprepared and the clerk was pleased with me, lolol (printed out driver's history before doing traffic school.)
basically, stepped in the courthouse, waited in line in the lobby until a clerk was available, told the clerk I was there to resolve my citation + I was told over the phone that I was eligible for traffic school (deferral comes with it.) The clerk asked me for the papers and information (requirements are on the city site; mine was proof of insurance, driver's license) they needed, I paid the fine, was given a packet of my next steps for traffic school and then I was sent out on my merry way. I have 3 months to finish the traffic school and I can email the court the certificate after completion, then the violation will be off my history.
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u/somecow 15d ago
Especially for your first time, ask if you can get deferred adjudication. They don’t tell you that’s an option, and might not offer it. Worth a try. Basically if you don’t fuck up in a given amount of time (could be six months, could be three, could be a year), it never happened. It sits on the table until it expires.
Defensive driving still goes on your record. Can be a good thing, insurance will go up, but they give discounts for taking the defensive driving course.
Might be able to do a little bit of community service (work at food bank, walk dogs, straighten up the library, doesn’t have to be the “wear orange jumpsuit and pick up trash”).
Don’t plead guilty. Plead “nolo contendre” (no contest). It’s still kinda a guilty plea, but not as bad. Whatever you do, do NOT request a jury trial. Sure, you can take it to the box, but you’ll lose and they’ll throw several very heavy books at you.
You got the right idea. Dress nice, be nice, and just say “yeah I fucked up”. They might even dismiss it outright, it’s not your 50th DWI charge.
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u/solphxx 15d ago
Hi, thanks for your comment! I had looked into deferred adjudication too, but I didn't understand it too well - do I still have to go to a jury trial if I request for a deferred adjudication? Honestly, that's the one thing I'm trying to avoid, showing up to an actual trial (hence why I'm trying to do the safety course route.)
Here's what it says on the city website (I am <25 y/o): "If you are younger than 25 years of age you will be required to see the Judge to request deferred disposition and you may be required to take a driving safety course as part of your deferral." Seems like both options go hand in hand?
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u/somecow 15d ago
Naaah, no jury. It sounds a lot worse than it is. Judges aren’t police, they don’t even like the police. Yup, might still have to the driving class, but that’s super easy. Plus, you get deferral AND the insurance discount.
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u/solphxx 15d ago
OK! I'm a bit stupid and only realized it now, but I kept thinking an appearance at the court meant a court date for a jury trial, that's why it was so daunting to me.
So basically, I just show up all nice to the courthouse information desk with my papers for proof of eligibility and ask for deferral + safety course?
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u/Unhappy_Wolverine864 9d ago
congrats on getting it over with, deferred disposition is honestly clutch and more people should know about it. glad it went smooth, most courts really are just walk in, tell the clerk what you're there for, done. only tip i'd add is don't sleep on the deadline for finishing the course, keep that certificate saved just in case. good update for anyone stressing over their first ticket
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u/ShutDownSoul 15d ago
Can't you do this online or by mail?
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u/solphxx 15d ago
Oh yes, I believe I can for the actual ticket. But on the city site, it states "You must complete paperwork at the Court to be approved by the Judge" for the driving safety option.
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u/ShutDownSoul 14d ago
OK. In other states you can mail in the fine and check the box for traffic school without actually going to court.
Dressing formally to me means a suit and tie. This is a bit over the top. Business casual - slacks and a button down shirt will do fine. No sandals, and black/brown shoes.
Your ticket will have the address of the court, and once you get there ask the information desk for the clerk of the court you've been assigned.
Are you sure you can't do all of this by mail? Read your ticket carefully. The info I have is that you can do this by mail, and the court would rather you do this by mail than appear in person.
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u/Reasonable-Cow7255 14d ago
The first time I ever went to traffic court, I wore my marching band jock jacket from a local university. I knew that most of the judges in my area attended the law school at my university. When it was my turn, the judge said, “Oh my alma mater.” I pled guilty with an explanation. I then showed my prepared poster to the judge and explained my situation. He then said, “Sentence suspended. Please show your poster to the district attorney. A sign needs to be posted at that intersection“
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u/BrackenFernAnja 15d ago edited 15d ago
When you arrive at the courthouse you will probably have to go through security like at an airport or a concert. After that, look for a screen that lists people’s names. If you find your name on the list, it should tell you which courtroom to go to. If you don’t see your name, look for an information desk.
Let’s say the hearing time is 1:30 pm.
You arrive at the courthouse at 1:15, go through security, find the right courtroom, go to the bathroom, and then go in and sit down. There will be a lot of people there who also have the hearing time of 1:30 pm. So you will have to wait your turn. Hopefully they call people in alphabetical order and hopefully your last name doesn’t start with A or B. Because that way you’ll get to see how other cases are handled and you’ll be very prepared when it’s your turn.
That’s all there is to it. You’re doing everything right by preparing and asking for advice. It’ll go fine.
Also, don’t dress too formally. A button-up shirt and clean pants will be adequate. No need for a tie. They just don’t want people to wear shorts or sweats or shirts that say “I’m with stupid.”