Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

No, not all traffic tickets in Rhode Island are handled in a criminal court setting. The decision of where a ticket is handled is decided by the severity of the violation. For minor offenses such as speeding or failing to yield, the ticket may be handled in a traffic ticket court. These courts are run by either a magistrate, a hearing officer, or a judge, and the process is similar to a criminal court. The main difference is that there is no jury, and, instead, the decision is made solely by the judge. In these courts, the ticket recipient can plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty, and the judge will make a ruling based on their plea and evidence presented. More serious violations, such as reckless driving or driving without a license, will be handled in a criminal court. In a criminal court setting, the ticket recipient is charged with a crime and the case is presented to a jury of their peers. The jury will decide whether or not the ticket recipient is guilty of the crime and the judge will then pass down a sentence. Overall, the decision of where a traffic ticket is handled in Rhode Island depends on the severity of the violation. Minor violations are usually handled in a traffic ticket court while more serious violations are handled in a criminal court.

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Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

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