It happens. You're cruising along, lost in thought, lose track of the speed limit, then suddenly, flashing lights appear in the rearview mirror. You’re busted. Here’s what to do next.
👮 “What Seems to be the Officer, Problem?”
Stay calm. Have your license, registration, and proof of insurance handy. Keeping the latter two in one place is a good idea, although pulling up a digital insurance card on the phone is acceptable too. If you’re asked to take a sobriety test and refuse, you’ll immediately lose your license and give the officer probable cause to arrest you.
🚔 Know Your Rights
An officer isn’t required to read your rights during a traffic stop, but anything you say can lead to further investigation. If an officer asks to search your vehicle, it’s best to politely decline. Who knows what you (or somebody else) forgot about, and it just opens up an opportunity for things to go sideways. You have the right to film your interaction with the officer on your phone (as long as the car is pulled over), but you risk antagonizing the officer and lowering your chances of getting off with a warning.
😕 Being Civil
Things have changed since 2023. There are now two different kinds of speeding tickets in Nevada. Civil infractions cover speeding by less than 30 miles per hour and other minor offenses like failure to yield or running a red light. Your case goes to municipal court and will usually end with a guilty plea and a fine. You can do it online. No appeal. If you ignore the ticket, you still get a fine — a larger one. No warrant for your arrest, but the balance could go to collections and the DMV will dock you points on your record.
😧 Being Criminal
A ticket for a criminal offense is more serious — speeding by more than 30 miles an hour and stuff like driving under the influence and tailgating — and are settled in justice court. If you ignore the ticket, a warrant can be issued for your arrest. So don’t play around.
⚖️ Pleading Your Case
You can dispute a civil charge at a hearing if you have evidence proving the officer was wrong to ticket you. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time. And this isn’t a situation where the judge rules in your favor if the officer doesn’t appear in court. The standards are higher in a criminal case, and the prosecution has to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt during a trial.
💼 When to Hire a Lawyer
Paying a lawyer a small fee to get your speeding ticket reduced to a parking ticket is pretty much a thing of the past — especially with civil infractions — although law firms are still happy to take your money.
Whatever they can do in making a routine speeding ticket go away, you can now do for yourself by paying online or at the courthouse. Don’t delay or your fine will go up. You’ll probably want a lawyer if you have a hearing. You’ll definitely want one if you’re contesting a criminal charge, but those speeding tickets can be paid via an online portal too. In some situations, you may be offered a reduced charge for a higher fine. Opting for traffic school will reduce points on your record.
Thanks to City Cast Las Vegas co-host and real-life lawyer Dayvid Figler for the information in this story.
