No Contest Vs Guilty In Sacramento
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In a traffic ticket trial, you and the officer that wrote the ticket both get a chance to explain what happened. You can have witnesses come to trial and bring in any other evidence, like pictures or a recording. If the judge decides you are guilty, they will set the fine.
To contest your citation, you must appear for arraignment or schedule a future court trial date. Bail must be posted to schedule a future court trial date. At the arraignment, if you plead "Not Guilty," your case will be continued or scheduled for a court trial date.
Overnight/early morning is probably the least staffed shift for most departments.
Program Phones: 916-875-7746Main - Small Claims Division 916-875-7846 Small Claims Advisory Clinic 916-875-7843 Small Claims Mediation Program
It usually takes about two to three weeks for your ticket to be available online.
If you plead not guilty you will have a pretrial conference to try to settle your case. There is no penalty for pleading not guilty. Your sentence will not be more severe or less severe based merely on how you plead.
The prosecutor may offer a deal for a reduced sentence or no jail time if you agree to plead guilty. As part of plea deals, you cannot go back and fight the charges, because you already pleaded guilty. Before accepting a plea bargain, understand your rights to make sure you know what you're giving up.
You admit to the allegation. No contest means that you do not admit to actually committing the allegation, you merely admit that the State can produce sufficient evidence for you to be found guilty. In general, no contest is the better way to go, but it probably wouldn't make much difference in your situation.
By maintaining a not guilty plea, you retain the leverage needed to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement. This could result in lesser charges, reduced sentences, or alternative sentencing options that might not be available if you initially plead guilty.
Some people worry that if they plead “not guilty,” when they feel they are really guilty, that it could hurt them later. Please do not worry.
