Citation given after officer let my daughter go?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Are traffic cites criminal then?

In Arizona, we have Civil Traffic and Criminal Traffic. Criminal Traffic is handled like a regular criminal charge which involves the prosecutor's office representing the state and can result in a jury trial where the convicted face jail and/or fines. Civil Traffic cases are "prosecuted" by the citing officer appearing for the state in front of the hearing officer who, in some cases is not actually a judge buy appointed to hear civil traffic cases by the presiding magistrate. These result in only fines and/or points assessed on the driving record.

[retdetsgt]

We just have traffic court here. In most areas of the state, it's in front of a municipal judge although Portland uses the state district court. You can contact the court before your appearance if you want a trial and they will give you a new court date or you make the first appearance in front of a judge and plead not guilty and it's set for a trial. Prosecutors aren't part of the picture unless you bring a lawyer or the offense is a crime, otherwise the police officer presents the case.

We have criminal and "violations". Violations are punishable only by a fine, no jail time.

[katie.marston]

Update:

The office for the prosecution called today to tell us that the charge has been dropped. Apparently he reviewed the tape, & saw that her lights were in fact on & heard the officer tell her "no ticket, fee, or warning. Have a good night."

[retdetsgt]

Thanks, Katie for the update.

[Ispbear]

My thought is that with young drivers that are decent kids, they go into parent mode. Alot of yes, and sorry's but they are so frustrated from messing up and being in contact with a police officer they are not really listening to what is being told to them.