Respond To A Citation

Unless you are entitled to a compliance dismissal, you must enter one of the following three pleas:

Plea of Not Guilty

• A plea of “not guilty” means that you deny guilt and require the State to prove the charge. 
• A plea of “not guilty” does not waive any of your rights to trial.
• A plea of “not guilty” does not prevent a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” at a later time.

Plea of Guilty

• A plea of “guilty” means you admit that you committed the criminal offense charged.

Plea of Nolo Contendere (No Contest)

• A plea of “no contest” means that you do not contest the State’s charge against you.

The difference between a plea of “guilty” and ‘”no contest” is that the “no contest” plea may not be used later against you in a civil suit for damages. For example, in a civil suit arising from a traffic accident, a guilty plea can be used as evidence of your responsibility or fault.

If you plead “guilty” or “no contest,” you will be found guilty and should be prepared to pay the fine. A plea of “guilty” or “no contest” waives all of your rights to trial. If you are unable to pay the entire fine and costs, you should be prepared to document and explain your financial situation.

The following dismissals have many terms and are not always a defendant's right. These dismissals are valid if the defendant appears on or before the require appearance date, pays an administrative fee of $10.00 and meet the following terms: 

Expired Driver's License

• Renew your driver's license before the appearance date on your citation.
• Provide your temporary license to the court.

Expired Vehicle Registration

• Renew your registration before the appearance date on your citation.
• Provide a legible receipt of registration that clearly identifies the vehicle in violation. 
• Late penalty fee paid to the County's Tax Assessor and is listed on the registration receipt.

Failure to Report Change of Address or Name Within Thirty Days

• Change the address or name with the Department of Public Safety before the appearance date on your citation.
• Provide your temporary license to the court. 

Non-Commercial Defective Equipment Violation

• The defective equipment has been corrected before the appearance date on your citation.
• Provide photographic proof of compliance or have the vehicle inspected by Court Bailiff or Marshal. 

Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License Plate or With One Plate

• The vehicle registration for the vehicle must be current during the date of the offense. 
• The license plate is attached to the car before the defendant's first court appearance.
• Provide photographic proof of compliance or have vehicle inspected by Court Bailiff or Marshal. 

Violate Driver's License Restriction or Endorsement

• Driver's license endorsement was imposed because of a physical condition that was surgically or medically corrected before the date of the offense.
• The Department of Public Safety removes the restriction or endorsement before the defendant's first court appearance