Dismissing an Indiana Traffic Ticket
Handling Indiana traffic ticket fines and penalties is never ideal. But don’t stress if you got an Indiana traffic ticket–we can help you navigate what to do next. First, you should be aware of a few important points. For instance, Indiana has a point system that measures how well you are doing as a driver. Each traffic violation is assessed a point value which corresponds with the severity of the offense. Some examples of Indiana traffic ticket violations include:
- Driving 1-15 MPH over the speed limit: 2 points
- Unsafe lane movement: 4 points
- Following too closely: 6 points
- Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle: 8 points
If you rack up 18 of these points within two years, your penalty could be either probation or Indiana license suspension. Driving safely is the obvious call to prevent traffic citations in the first place. It’s what every driver should strive for, but since we can’t be flawless drivers all the time, we’ve broken down what you need to do after getting a ticket.
What to Do If You Get a Traffic Ticket
Are you looking to dismiss a traffic ticket in Indiana? I Drive Safely’s compiled everything you need to know about getting rid of that pesky citation. The only way to dismiss an Indiana ticket is to fight it in court. Here’s how it works:
- You have 60 days from the date of your traffic violation to let the court know that you are pleading not guilty. You can do this in one of three ways:
- Select the “not guilty” option on the ticket and mail the ticket to the listed address
- Go to the court and inform the clerk of your decision to plead not guilty
- Show up on the court date listed on your ticket and let the judge know; you will then receive a hearing date
- Think about hiring a traffic ticket attorney: They have expertise in helping people deal with Indiana traffic ticket fines and penalties, and will help you plan the best way to argue your case.
- Get your case together: Practice your testimony and make sure you have it down before your hearing (or your attorney has it down, if they will be speaking on your behalf). Gather any evidence that proves that you were wrongly ticketed, and call or subpoena witnesses if they can strengthen your case.
- Present your case at your hearing: After the prosecutor presents their case as to why you should be found guilty, you (or your attorney) will provide your testimony, evidence, and have witnesses speak to prove your innocence.
- The judge will find you either not guilty or guilty: If the judge rules that you are not guilty, that will be the end of your worries! However, if you are found guilty, you will be given information on your penalties, which typically include ticket fines, court costs, surcharges, and any other penalties that come with the ticket itself. You could face Indiana license suspension if you accrue too many points.
- File an appeal, if you feel you should have been found innocent: You can either seek help from your attorney, or, if you didn’t hire one, talk to the court clerk or the Traffic Violations Bureau about how to file an appeal.
- Review your driving record: After the court process is over, check your driving record to ensure that it has been properly updated. If you were found not guilty, your ticket and the points associated with it should not show up on your record. If you were found guilty, make sure that the right amount of points was applied. Mistakes can be made, and you don’t want to end up with more points on your record than you should have!
- Shop around for a better car insurance rate: If you were found guilty of your traffic violation and your insurance rate shot up, consider doing some research to find out if you can get a lower rate elsewhere.
Even if your hearing doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, you may still be able to take an Indiana BMV- approved Driver Safety Course, or Driver Safety Program, to receive a point credit. Talk to the judge about this possibility to find out if you are eligible. Indiana traffic ticket violations are a reality for everyone, but with a little effort, they can be managed.
