You are a reasonable, law-abiding citizen. You were probably unaware that you were exceeding the speed limit when a police officer halted you. Maybe you were not doing anything wrong at all. Even so, it’s distressing and maybe intimidating too, to say the least, especially when it happens for the very first time.
When the officer approaches, definitely remain polite. The more bewildered or anxious you are, the more of a problem this can be. You don’t want that. It’s best to be aware of how to proceed if anything like this befalls you.
Take a deep breath. Maintain your cool. If you wish, you will have your chance to present your side of the incident.
What will probably happen
This is how events will most likely unfold:
- The police officer will ask for your license and insurance. They will then check to see if you have any outstanding warrants.
- The police officer will explain why you were pulled over. The police officer will hand you the ticket.
- You are expected to put your signature on it. That just signifies that it was given to you. It is not an admission or indication of guilt.
The ticket will have facts such as how fast your vehicle was allegedly traveling, the name of the officer, court date, what the speed limit is where you allegedly committed the offense, a description of your vehicle and some basic information about you.
Don’t treat this casually
A ticket is a nuisance, and you might feel embarrassed over it. Still, you need to deal with the ticket promptly and according to the laws of the states of Missouri or Kansas (depending on where it was issued). Since even a single ticket can affect your insurance rates and lead to other problems, it is always worthwhile to explore potential defenses. It is generally recommended, that where possible, a ticket be amended to a NON-Moving violation. Non-Moving violations are generally not reported to the licensing authorities and therefore will not show on a driver’s record.