What happens if I don’t answer a traffic ticket?

If you fail to answer a traffic ticket in Massachusetts, the court will enter a default judgment against you. This means that the court will assume that you have admitted to the violation, and will issue a conviction for the offense you are charged with. Depending on your violation, this could mean fines, points on your license, a license suspension, or other penalties. In some cases, you may be required to appear in court or have a warrant issued for your arrest. If you do not respond to a traffic ticket in a timely manner, you may also be charged an additional fee or placed on a payment plan to pay the fines associated with the violation. Once a default judgment is entered, it is very difficult to have the conviction overturned or the fines reduced. In order to avoid a default judgment and the associated penalties, it is important to answer a traffic ticket within the required time frame. If you are unable to pay the fines associated with the ticket, you may also be eligible for an installment plan or other payment arrangement. If you would like to dispute the ticket, you can request a hearing after answering the ticket. If you choose to ignore the ticket, however, you will be penalized with a default judgment.

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What happens if I don’t answer a traffic ticket?

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