The Traffic Infraction Begins

Infraction cases are initiated when an officer issues a citation. The infraction ticket may be served directly at the scene of an alleged infraction, sent to the court for mailing after the fact, or referred to the prosecutor for filing. The person who receives the ticket gets a copy of the front page. The person does not get a copy of the back of the ticket, where the officer writes a narrative of facts to justify the ticket and other required information.

When you are stopped by an officer, it usually happens when traffic conditions or your hectic day have infiltrated on your normal safe driving routines. The traffic stop only adds to your frustration. Hopefully you remained calm, and if not courteous, you hopefully at least maintained a degree of control over your emotions.

Officers understand the frustration of being pulled over. Nonetheless all officers are individuals and have their own personalities. How you are treated varies from officer to officer. They have a difficult job, and they do their professional best to treat you with respect while acting on what they perceived was a traffic violation.

Always provide your license, insurance, and vehicle registration when asked. If you are tempted to offer an excuse or explanation for your manner of driving, be forewarned the officer will routinely write down those statements you make when he or she writes their incident narrative or written summary which they will complete after they issue you a ticket. Once the officer prepares the infraction citation, court rules require the officer to file copies of the ticket with the court in their jurisdiction, and court records must establish this occurred.