Speeding tickets are the most common type of traffic violation. It is possible to pay Louisiana tickets online, depending on the type of citation you receive. When paying online you are pleading guilty to the charge.
People think a speeding ticket is minor without considering the after-affects of the ticket on their driving record. It is recommended you speak with an attorney who specializes in traffic tickets.
A lawyer can advise you about the impact pleading guilty or no contest will have on your driving record. If you decide to proceed, here is how you can pay your ticket online.
Pay Louisiana Ticket Online
You have three options to pay for your traffic ticket. Payment can be made by mail, in person, or online. The back of the ticket will have a traffic court and detailed payment instructions.
You will need to contact the court or parish to find out what the fines are. Tickets that are issued by a city police officer are handled by city courts. Tickets that are issued by parish and state police officers are handled in District Courts.
Speeding fines are not the same throughout the state. Fines vary depending on the county where you were ticketed. For that reason, it is important to contact the appropriate parish or city for specifics on your ticket.
Paying online is the fastest and most convenient way of resolving your ticket. You will not be required to appear in court. There are some things needed to complete the payment process.
What You Need to Pay Your Ticket
Make sure you have all the information needed to complete your payment. You will need your ticket, which includes the ticket number, to make a payment. You are not able to make a partial payment, tickets can only be paid in full.
When paying online you must pay by credit card. Be aware that most courts charge an additional fee. This varies from court to court and can be as low as 2% of the fine, or a flat fee, such as $5.00 per transaction.
When making payment online you need to have a printer or email address, preferably both. Once you have completed your online payment, you will want to print a copy of the confirmation page for your records. It is also good to receive a confirmation by email as a backup.
When You Are Not Allowed to Pay Online
If you do not pay your ticket by the required deadline, you will not be allowed to pay online. If you fail to appear in court or pay your ticket by the deadline, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest. You may also suffer a loss of driving privileges and be ordered to pay additional penalties.
There are also certain violations that do not allow online and require you to appear in court. These include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a violation that includes an accident, passing a stopped school bus, driving across a railroad crossing, fraudulent insurance, or littering. Speeding tickets that require a court appearance include speeding over 30 mph, racing, and speeding in a school zone.
Problem Driver Point System
The State of Louisiana does not use a points system. The state participates in the Problem Driver Point System (PDPS). This is part of the National Driver Register (NDR) that keeps a record of certain traffic violations, suspensions, and revocations.
The Problem Driver Point System allows jurisdictions to search the NDR data. Based on information from the National Driver Register, the jurisdiction is referred to the State of Record (SOR). The SOR is where the driving history of the driver is kept.
Based on information received from SOR, the state where the driver is licensed determines whether or not an individual is eligible for a new or renewed driver’s license.
The National Driver Register is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NDR collects information on problem drivers.
The collected information includes the driver’s name, address, date of birth, social security number and their driver’s license number. It sometimes gives an actual physical description of the person. The information on file is collected from the 51 jurisdictions in the United States.
The information NDR collects is also available to all 51 jurisdictions. The only people able to access the data are chief driver licensing officials. Individuals that may access their own records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
There are also organizations that also are allowed access to NDR information. This includes employers of motor vehicle operators, the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal Railroad Administration.
Other Considerations Before You Pay Online
When you pay a ticket online you are pleading guilty or no contest, and that plea affects your driving record. This includes tickets for speeding, running a red light or stop sign, improper lane changes, and failure to yield the right-of-way.
Regardless of how small the ticket seems; it may cause your car insurance rates to increase. More severe consequences include a driver’s license suspension or revocation. One thing to consider before you pay is whether you may be able to avoid a conviction by attending a traffic school.
If the court agrees to you attending traffic school, you may be able to have the ticket dismissed. Court and ticket fines might also be reduced.
Having a ticket on your record can impact future or current employment. Those who have a CDL license must notify their employer after any traffic citation conviction. Because your driving affects your employer’s income and insurance, it may be a cause for job dismissal.
Why Hire An Attorney for a Small Ticket
When you hire an attorney on a traffic ticket, they will request a contested hearing in court. The lawyer will be able to obtain discovery and negotiate with the prosecutor. This means you may be able to have the charges reduced or dismissed.
A lawyer is familiar with the court process and will appear with you before the judge. One in four tickets is issued in error, but only 5% of drivers contest their traffic tickets. Rather than pay Louisiana tickets online you should contact an attorney who can provide you with advice on the best way to proceed with your particular ticket.
