How To Fight a Traffic Ticket in Arkansas

In Arkansas, a traffic ticket is a notification served to traffic violators. There are two ways a ticket receiver can respond; by paying the ticket and admitting guilt, or by appealing to the Arkansas Judicial System and contesting the ticket in court. There are various consequences for traffic violations in Arkansas, and they increase in severity based on the nature of the offense and the history of the offender. A person charged with a traffic violation may be required to pay a fine, have demerit points added to the driver’s record, and attract any other penalty such as license revocation, license suspension, or jail time. A conviction can also have detrimental effects in the future as convictions typically remain on an offender’s driving record, potentially increasing the severity of the punishment for subsequent offenses. Also, a traffic offense can cause an increase in the premium of the offender’s car insurance. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is in charge of keeping files of traffic offenses.

Public records (including those pertaining to traffic violations) can also be accessed through third-party aggregate sites. These websites are a convenient alternative to government-owned resources since they are typically accessible remotely and aggregate records from multiple jurisdictions in one database. To use third-party search engines, inquirers are typically required to provide the following information:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved

Third-party sites are operated independently of government sources. Thus, record availability, accuracy, and validity may not be guaranteed.

Is it Worth it To Fight a Traffic Ticket in Arkansas?

Motorists who are apprehended for minor traffic violations may be eligible to fight the tickets. However, for severe offenses, violators are likely to be ineligible to contest the tickets but may be required to criminal charges instead. Fighting a traffic ticket can prevent or lessen the negative consequences; however, may be more expensive. If the case is lost, the offender will be required to pay the penalty along with other court fees.

Ways to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Arkansas

To fight a traffic ticket, offenders may request a contested hearing and plead not guilty in the municipality’s traffic court. A contested hearing is an argument before a judge or magistrate disputing the fairness of a citation received. During the hearing, the ticketing officer or a representative of the police department will reinforce the ticket’s fairness, and the opposing side (the accused violator), will state why the citation is unnecessary.

To start a contested hearing, send a notification to the local municipal or district court indicating your desire to contest the ticket. The appropriate courthouse is typically specified on the back of the issued ticket. The individual who received the ticket is typically required to appear in court to set a court date. The date-setting process varies between counties in Arkansas. In some counties, the accused offender will appear before the clerk of the court to set a date, whereas, in some other counties, the accused may attend an arraignment before a judge to formally enter a “not guilty” plea before setting a date. After picking the court date, both parties will appear in court and provide evidence for why the claim is correct. The judge or magistrate will then give a pronouncement based on the evidence provided by each side at the hearing. If a party at the argument is unsatisfied with the pronouncement of the magistrate or judge, appeal to a higher judicial authority.

How To Fight a Traffic Ticket Without Going to Court

In Arkansas, concerned persons cannot contest a traffic ticket without going to court. A legal argument usually ensues before a judge or magistrate establishes the innocence of the accused. All processes to prove the alleged offender innocent have to be administered by the court, including the arraignment, clerk hearing, and the judge hearing.

How Do You Get a Traffic Ticket Reduced in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, traffic fines can be reduced if the alleged offender requests a mitigation hearing. A mitigation hearing is a formal admission of guilt before a judge in a bid to lessen the penalty of a traffic violation. Penalties can be decreased through fine reduction, negotiation of a monthly payment plan, or the assignment of an alternative punishment, such as community service as a substitute for the fine payment. A mitigated hearing is not held to decide if the accused person is guilty or not. The hearing is an opportunity for the accused person to explain the circumstances surrounding the violation in the hope of a reduced punishment.

Can You Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed in Arkansas?

Yes. There are three ways to get a speeding ticket dismissed in Arkansas. The first is to be declared “not guilty” at a contested hearing. The pronouncement by a judge or magistrate acquits the accused person of the alleged violation and any other penalties associated with the traffic offense. Dismissal can also occur if the ticketing officer or a police department representative does not appear at the contested hearing. If this happens, the judge or magistrate rules that the accused person is not responsible for any violation, and the ticket is dismissed. Tickets may also be dismissed if the offender takes a court-prescribed Defensive Driving Course. The course certifies that the accused person is fit to drive safely and responsibly.

What Happens if You Plead Guilty to a Traffic Ticket in Arkansas

If the alleged offender admits guilt at the mitigation hearing or by paying the ticket, they will be required to face the full penalties prescribed by the court. This may include the addition of driving demerits on driving records, driving license suspension, or driving license revocation. A guilty plea entered at a mitigation hearing adds any penalties attributed to the violation except for payment of the fine. The traffic ticket’s fine may be lessened, negotiated for a monthly payment, or substituted for another punishment.

How to Find a Traffic Ticket Attorney in Arkansas

There are several law firms and attorneys in Arkansas that provide legal representation for traffic violations. Some of these firms can be found online through a web search for traffic lawyers in Arkansas. Applications are also used to connect an accused person with a traffic lawyer in the area to contest a traffic ticket remotely. The application employs the services of traffic lawyers with established high success rates for fighting traffic tickets.