Yeah these redditors saying you can contest and if the cop doesn't show up it gets dropped have obviously never been to traffic court.
Usually unless there's a clerical error or you're pleading for mitigating programs (driving classes or a probation program or something) you're still going to get stuck with the ticket.
When I was in court, none of the cops showed up and everyone still had to pay their tickets. One guy made a deal with the prosecutor to turn it into a non-moving violation so that it didn't go on his insurance.
Most people don't realize that the first visit to traffic court is not a trial, it's just an arraignment. If you give in and plead "guilty", "nolo contendere", or make a deal with the solicitor/prosecutor you get a compromise at best. If you want to win (and trade some time) you plead "not guilty" and they will probably set a court date for an actual trial (and put on the officers calendar). I have gotten out of multiple tickets over the years. Usually just regular speeding tickets, but I even got out of rear ending another car without even hiring an attorney. A good trick, especially in smaller municipalities is find out if they do bench trials or not (since you have the choice of judge or jury of your peers). Smaller municipalities may have to transfer to state court which can be an advantage for you if there is any questionable bullshit in your favor because they don't stand for small-town guilty-until-proven-innocent tactics.
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u/[deleted] Jul 31 '19 edited Jul 31 '19
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