What to do if you have been cited to appear in court

  • Decide whether to hire an attorney. If so, do it as soon as possible
  • Come to court dressed professionally
  • Be on time & be prepared to wait. If you have been cited for an infraction and fail to appear in court, an admission may be entered on your behalf, your fine may increase, and your license may be suspended. If you have been cited for any other type of crime and fail to appear you may be arrested.

Reason for wanting an attorney at this stage:

Most cases where a citation is given can be settled, or "plea-bargained", by an attorney who will advocate on your behalf and ensure you the best deal possible.

 
Police officer giving a ticket