What to Do if You Get a Traffic Ticket in Massachusetts

If you were the unfortunate recipient of a traffic ticket or multiple traffic tickets in Massachusetts, you have some options that you may or may not be aware of. It is important for the person who receives a ticket to respond within the required timeframe to avoid additional penalties.

Compiled below are some of your options and how to go about dealing with Massachusetts traffic tickets. The process for handling a traffic ticket involves receiving the citation, reviewing your options, and making sure to respond by either paying the fine or requesting a hearing. Failure to respond within the specified period can result in additional fines, license suspension, or other serious consequences.

Types of Traffic Infractions

Traffic infractions in Massachusetts are generally divided into two main categories: civil violations and criminal offenses. Understanding the difference between these types is crucial for all drivers, as each carries its own set of penalties and long-term consequences.

Civil Violations

Civil violations are the most common type of traffic infractions and include offenses such as speeding, running a red light, failing to yield, or driving with an expired inspection sticker. These violations are typically handled by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and do not result in a criminal record. However, civil infractions can still lead to fines, surchargeable points on your driving record, and increased insurance premiums. Accumulating too many civil violations may also result in license suspension or additional penalties from the registry of motor vehicles.

Criminal Offenses

Criminal offenses are more serious violations of Massachusetts traffic laws. Examples include operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI), driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, or reckless driving. These offenses require a court appearance and can result in severe penalties such as hefty fines, jail time, state prison sentences, and a permanent criminal record. A criminal charge can also lead to the loss of driving privileges and significant impacts on your insurance rates and employment opportunities.

The Massachusetts registry of motor vehicles works closely with law enforcement to enforce these traffic laws and maintain safe roadways. Whether you are dealing with a minor civil infraction or facing criminal charges, it’s important to understand the potential penalties and take appropriate action to protect your driving record and privileges.

Is a Court Appearance Required?

A court appearance is not required for minor traffic infractions. Most minor traffic violations are handled in district courts, which are the primary venues for adjudicating such cases, while more serious offenses may be heard in other courts.

Infractions that require a court appearance would include, but not limited to, driving while your license is suspended, involved in an accident and leaving before authorities arrive, and driving while intoxicated. In these cases, a clerk magistrate may preside over the initial hearing and has the authority to set or reschedule the hearing date. These are considered criminal offences and they all require that you appear before a judge.

Your Options

Option 1 – Pay Your Ticket

You may opt to just go ahead and pay your ticket. While paying a ticket may seem like the quickest solution, it can have long-term consequences such as increased insurance premiums, license suspension, or other legal repercussions. If you choose this alternative, you are stating that you are guilty of the infraction. You will then need to enter your admission of guilt by checking the first box on the ticket within twenty (20) days of the date of your ticket.

With this option, you have also surrendered the choice to stand before a judge and plead your case. There will also be points added to your license. Massachusetts calls this “surchargeable points”. The points vary from 5 points for a major violation like a DUI to 2 points for minor violations like speeding.

You have a twenty day window to make sure that your payment gets to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. If your payment is not received in time, there will be a late fee attached. Failure to pay on time may also result in release fees and additional penalties. If you chose to totally ignore the ticket, this will cause your license to be suspended.

There are three ways that you may pay your citation:

1) Pay online by visiting the RMV website and selecting the pay online option with a major credit card.
2) Send in your payment by mailing it to:
Attention: Citation Payment, Citation Processing Center, Registry of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 55890, Boston, Massachusetts, 02205-5890.
Payments by check or money order should be made payable to the Citation Processing Center and must include your citation number and driver's license number.
3) Pay over the phone at 1-800-858-3926. Make sure that you have your citation and major credit card number ready.

You can also contact the RMV's contact center for payment assistance. For callers in Massachusetts area codes 339, 617, 781, and 857, dial 857-368-8000. For other Massachusetts area codes, call 800-858-3926. When sending in your payment, ensure you are mailing it to the correct address and allow sufficient time for processing.

Option 2 – Plead Not Guilty and Request Trial

If you feel that you received an unfair citation, you can challenge the ticket and request that you appear before the court judge. You can either represent yourself or you can hire an attorney. Hiring a lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and improve your chances of a favorable outcome. This needs to be done in a timely fashion and within the twenty day period that the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles requires.

In submitting a not guilty plea, you will need to make a check mark in the second box, which is on your citation, and make sure that you have dated the back along with adding your signature. After that is done, make sure that you mail it to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, as mailing your request is required to schedule a hearing date.

Once the RMV has received your response, they will send a letter to you in which they will verify your request for a hearing. They will also instruct you on how to pay the fee of $25 for filing. Make sure that you pay this fee before the exploration date that is addressed in the letter.

Option 3 – Appeal Your Case

If you choose to appeal your case, you will need to decide if you are going to represent yourself or hire an attorney.

If you choose to represent yourself, make sure that you gather any evidence that is pertinent to your case. Interview any witnesses that may have seen what happened and make sure that you have your updated driving record so you can present that to the court. A free case evaluation with a lawyer can help you understand your options before your hearing.

If you are not confident about representing yourself, you may need to hire an attorney. An attorney might improve your odds of a reduction in the charges or maybe even a total dismissal. This could also result in keeping your vehicle insurance rates the same and keep you from having points added to your license.

In appealing your case, the judge could find you not guilty or innocent in which case, he could write off all of the charges which would free you from any fines or penalties. You would still have to pay court costs and if you hired an attorney, you may still have to pay the attorney fees. Speeding tickets are often issued for exceeding the posted speed limit, and the amount by which you exceed the speed can affect the severity of the penalty.

The other option that the judge has is to find you guilty or found responsible, in which you would need to pay the fine, court costs, and legal fees if you hired an attorney. Your license will have points added to it and there is a possibility that you could see your insurance rates rise. If you are found responsible or found guilty of a speeding ticket, especially a single speeding ticket, you may face increased penalties and insurance costs.

Option 4 - Take an Online Defensive Driving Course

At this time, if you have received traffic tickets in Massachusetts, you are not eligible to have your ticket dismissed by attending an online defensive driving course. Defensive driving courses do not apply to parking tickets, which are considered non-moving violations and are handled through a separate process.

There are some advantages though in attending an online defensive driving course in Massachusetts.

  • You can make improvements in your driving abilities
  • You might be able to have a reduction in your insurance premiums
  • If the court ordered you to attend a driving school, you could meet that requirement.

Additionally, completing a course may be noted on your driving records, which can be important for insurance or legal purposes. Individuals who are hard of hearing can request accommodations or contact the RMV for assistance.