Most traffic tickets arise from thoughtlessness rather than willful recklessness. You may lose your focus on the road while thinking about job stress or moderating arguments between your kids as you drive them to school. A momentary lapse such as this may result in a traffic ticket.
Once you have the citation, you may wonder what you can do about it. Jefferson County offers you multiple options for dealing with a traffic ticket. You can choose the one that is most appropriate for your situation.
1. Appear in court
You will receive a date for your arraignment. If you wish to contest the charges, you can appear in court. The judge may grant you a continuance for a pre-trial conference prior to the actual trial. Choosing to appear in court does not preclude you from also attending traffic school or participating in Drive Safe Louisville if you choose.
2. Prepay the citation
Choosing to prepay the citation gives you the option of attending traffic school if you so choose. Traffic school requires an additional fee in addition to the fine you pay, but successful completion prevents you from receiving points on your license. Prepaying the citation saves you the trip to court. However, it does mean a conviction on your court records because it is equivalent to a guilty plea.
3. Participate in Drive Safe Louisville
This is an interactive program that allows you to review safe driving habits and traffic laws on your own time, from either your own home or the location that you choose. It is similar to traffic school except that if you complete the Drive Safe program successfully, you can avoid both a conviction on your record and point assessment against your license.
The county reserves the right to exclude some applicants from the program on the basis of past criminal history or the seriousness of the alleged offense. However, most drivers can qualify, although drivers who are minors must first appear in court with a parent or guardian. You have until three days prior to your court date to complete the program.
