Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

No, not all traffic tickets are handled in a criminal court setting in Virginia. Generally, when a driver is issued a traffic ticket in the Commonwealth, the driver has the option to either pay the fine, plead guilty, or appear in court to contest the ticket. If a driver chooses to appear in court, the ticket is decided by a civil magistrate or judicial officer instead of a criminal court setting. In Virginia, most traffic violations are considered civil offenses and are heard in civil court. Examples of civil offenses include speeding, failure to yield, and running a red light. These types of traffic offenses are not punishable by jail time and the potential maximum penalty is usually a fine. However, certain traffic violations are considered criminal offenses. Examples of criminal offenses include reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI/DWI), and hit and run. Traffic tickets associated with criminal offenses must be heard in a criminal court setting and the potential penalty can include jail time. In summary, not all traffic tickets are handled in a criminal court setting in Virginia. The type of violation and the severity of the offense will determine if the ticket is heard in criminal court or civil court. It is important to note that regardless of whether a ticket is heard in criminal court or civil court, the driver always has the option to contest the ticket (if eligible) in court.

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Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

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