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It could be a mistake to simply pay a traffic ticket

by | Mar 11, 2020 | Firm News

Every day here in Michigan and elsewhere, someone gets pulled over and receives a citation for failing to follow the rules of the road. If you are one of the unlucky ones, and like most drivers, you do not consider a traffic ticket to be a big deal. However, that could turn out to be a mistake since if you accumulate enough points on your driver’s license, you could be without it for some time.

When you simply pay a traffic ticket, you are essentially pleading guilty and allowing a conviction to go on your driving record. In addition, you will accumulate a certain number of points on your license based on the type of infraction. If you end up with enough points, the state of Michigan will suspend your license. In order to get it back, you will more than likely have to undergo reexamination.

The Michigan Secretary of State will send you a letter warning you when you have four points on your license. When you reach eight points, you will receive a second letter warning you of the possibility of suspension. By the time you reach 12 points within two years, the state suspends your license.

You may not be concerned about a ticket for a “small” violation, but if you are already close to the 12-point mark, this could be the one to put you over the top. If that happens, your life will be disrupted while you cannot legally drive. Fortunately, it may be possible to avoid a traffic ticket resulting in points on your license. You have the right to challenge the citation in the court of the jurisdiction where you received it. The court could either dismiss the citation or reduce the violation, which would mean fewer points on your license.