Are Some Tickets Better Than Warnings? Yes, and Here’s Why

Picture this: You’re driving on the highway and listening to music on your radio when suddenly you see the blue and red flashing behind your vehicle. You pull over and the officer notifies that you were going above the speed limit. You’re dreading getting a ticket, but instead, you are let off with a warning. One can say you got off easy since you don’t have to pay a penalty. 

However, this isn’t always the outcome – in some scenarios, getting a ticket may actually be better than a warning. This is because, in contrast to a warning, a ticket can be fought over at court and thus, doesn’t automatically remain on your Motor Vehicle Record. 

Picture the above-described scenario again. If you were certain that you weren’t going over the speed limit, with a ticket, you can go to the court to potentially have it dismissed. The court will look at the evidence such as the in-car video, CCTV footage, or information from a speeding camera to determine the validity of your case and have the violation removed from your record. 

While some warnings from an officer maybe just out of professional courtesy and not be logged, most tend to go on your MVR record. Because there is no robust legal apparatus to challenge a warning, it can be really difficult to have it removed from your history. The court procedure to have it done may not be as clear cut as with a ticket and could be far more long-drawn with less certainty of a decision being made in your favor. 

So, the next time you receive a ticket instead of a warning, appreciate that it would be easier for you to have yourself completely cleared of the violation if you are in the right.