What Traffic Violation Did an Officer Accuse You Of?

July 3, 2019

Traffic stops are common events that many drivers see as they travel the roads and that they may find themselves in at some point. The outcomes of these stops may vary as officers could let some drivers off with a warning, issue a ticket or citation, or even take a driver into custody if officers believe that he or she committed a more serious crime, like driving under the influence.

Of course, if you receive a traffic ticket, you may simply consider it an inconvenience to your day. Still, a ticket could come with hefty fines or other consequences, and you may feel as if it was not even warranted. Fortunately, you have legal options even when it comes to fighting back against a traffic ticket. First, it is important that you understand the violation of which an officer has accused you.

Types of violations

Commonly, minor traffic violations fall into two categories: moving and non-moving violations. As the names suggest, moving violations occur when your vehicle is in motion, and non-moving violations occur when the vehicle is stopped or when an issue exists with the vehicle itself. Some common moving violations include:

Failing to stop at a stop sign
Running a red light
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Speeding
Failing to yield the right of way

Numerous other actions could also constitute moving violations besides these few examples. When it comes to non-moving violations, you could face issues for any of the following examples:

Parking in a no-parking zone
Parking in a handicap space without the proper permit
Driving with a headlight out
Having a muffler that makes excessive noise
Parking in front of an expired parking meter

Again, this list does not represent all possible non-moving violations. As a result, it is important to understand what type of ticket the officer issued you and for what violation. The information on the ticket should tell you what violation the officer believes you committed as well as the vehicle code section related to the violation.

Fighting a ticket

If you feel that the officer issued you a ticket unjustly or that you have another reason to fight against it, you may want to look into your legal options. Moving forward with this type of case is relatively common, but you could still benefit from having the right help. Speaking with a New York attorney experienced in traffic laws may help you better understand your case and options.