Any advice for traffic court for DS-17?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former 17 year old here (now a lot older). DS should go in remorseful, and the judge will likely offer that if he takes and completes a defensive driving course, it will be wiped from his record. That's why the officer recommended it -- he knows that will happen.

Don't go in trying to fight the ticket. The judge is going to offer an "out" because of his age.

Added bonus: the course is mostly teenagers so he may find a prom date there.

Agreed - everyone telling you not to go must not have read the OP. HE is telling you to go because although you will have court costs the fine and points will be lowered so definitely worth the trip. A good learning experience for your son as well. Going to traffic court for the first time is always memorable.

[Anonymous]

All of that is bad advice. And not what happens.

Follow the directions on the ticket to contest it. Likely that involves calling the Court and getting the hearing date. Take notes so you do not forget the date and time. Make arrangements so you can go with your kid.

Arrive 30 minutes or more early. Bring masks. Check in with the clerk at the traffic window. Go to the hallway area outside the Courtroom will the hearing will take place. Outside of the assigned courtroom there will be an office/conference room. There will be an Asst. Prosecutor there with all the files for the cases up that day - including your kid’s file. Get in line outside the office.

What will happen is that the Asst. Prosecutor will say come in, and talk to your kid. You are a spectator unless asked. Basically your kid should tell the Asst. Prosecutor the cop told him to come and contest the ticket. This will tell the prosecutor that it is no big deal. The prosecutor will then say - he/she can offer to plead it to whatever they are using there as a civil infraction with no points and no moving violation. Say thanks. Shake hands. Go pay the fine. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to traffic court, especially if it he got it in one of the smaller municipalities in Maryland. A lot of times they don't show up to court.

I never had a case when the officer doesn’t show up and they dismiss the ticket

If you can reschedule, do it as many times as you can and hope that it ends up not being on the cop's court day

The officer will love you fir it. He gets three hours overtime every time you try that trick.

The officer doesn’t need to be present in court for a speeding ticket.

More incorrect information.