WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC TICKET

1. Remain Respectful
If you get stopped for a traffic ticket, always act respectfully towards the officer. Remember, he/she has the gun and the badge and they have the power while on the street to either give you that ticket or not. First, make sure they don't view you as a threat to them. Don't fumble around inside your car looking for the registration and insurance card before they ask for them. Simply place both your hands on the wheel and wait quietly for the police officer to approach your car.

2. Follow the Police Officer's Instructions
Before you start to explain yourself or try to talk your way out of a ticket, follow his/her instructions to provide your license, registration and insurance card. If you have to search for them, tell the officer that's what you're doing before you start rummaging around in the glove compartment. Remember, most officers get shot during traffic stops and they already know that, so they are understandably cautious when you start looking in a place where a gun could be hidden. Once you find the documents, hand them over to the officer and ask why you were stopped. If he/she asks you if you know why, do not answer the question with an admission. You don't have to admit any wrongdoing of any nature and it is not advisable. You can try to talk your way out of the ticket, but many times it is wiser to just take responsibility for your actions by saying instead that you "may have made a mistake" and ask him/her to give you a simple warning instead of a ticket.

3. If You Have a PBA Card, Now Is the Time to Show It
If you happen to have a PBA card, show it to the officer very tentatively and again ask if they will give you a break. If not, don't get indignant under any circumstances. Just accept the ticket and then go hire the best lawyer you can find. Many times there are procedural things that can be done to defeat a traffic ticket by an attorney. And it can be very worthwhile to defeat a traffic ticket since if you are convicted, it will cause you to add points to your license and your insurance will likely increase a lot as a result of any moving violation. So do whatever you can to avoid a conviction. Don't just plead guilty and offer an explanation. You can beat traffic tickets if you spend the time, money and energy to do it. Good luck.