What happens if I plead “no contest” to a traffic ticket?

When pleading no contest to a traffic ticket in South Carolina, you are neither admitting or denying the offense. The court will take this plea and essentially treat it as a guilty plea without actually selecting “guilty” on the citation. By pleading no contest, there is still a possibility that you can be found guilty and possibly charged with the violations that were listed on your traffic ticket. Depending on the severity of the violation, you may pay court costs, fines, and may even have points placed on your driving record. Points on your driving record can have a negative effect on your license, insurance rates, and driving privileges. In some cases, more severe traffic violations, such as reckless driving, can lead to jail time, higher fines, or even license suspension. If you choose to plead no contest to your traffic ticket, the court may have you submit additional documents to proceed with a plea agreement. This may include a required defensive driving course, a car insurance policy, or other proof that the violation has been corrected. It is important to remember that pleading no contest to your traffic violation does not absolve you of the charges or necessary consequences. You must be prepared to face the consequences of pleading no contest and may even consider consulting a lawyer before doing so.

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What happens if I plead “no contest” to a traffic ticket?

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