Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

No, not all traffic tickets are handled in a criminal court setting in South Dakota. Depending on the type and severity of the violation, some traffic tickets may be handled by a traffic court or magistrates court. This type of court specializes in dealing with traffic matters such as traffic citations, infractions, and misdemeanors. If the traffic violation is considered serious, it may be handled in a criminal court. These violations could include driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, and vehicular homicide. The criminal court will have a judge, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. If convicted, a criminal court can impose punishments such as fines, probation, and even jail time. If the driver does not agree with the ticket, they can contest it in court. When this occurs, the driver can defend themselves or hire an attorney to represent them in court. The court will then listen to the evidence and determine if the violation occurred. If the judge finds that the violation did occur, they can decide how serious it is and what sort of punishment should be given. In South Dakota, the majority of traffic tickets are handled in a traffic court or magistrates court rather than a criminal court. If the violation is deemed to be serious, the case may be moved to a criminal court setting. If this occurs, the driver may have to face harsher punishments than if it was just a minor traffic infraction.

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Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

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