What can I do to contest traffic tickets in VA?

[cchen]

Basically, I got 2 tickets today. One was BS, one maybe was my fault. I
was driving near Dulles Airport, on my way home after a one day
contracting job. I took a specific route home because that's the way my
employer said to take. Anyway, that road turned out to be some restricted
road for airport users only. The road was deserted, so I came to a quick
stop at a stop sign and turned right. The cop was hiding behind a bush and
pulled me over, citing that I didn't come to a complete stop, and also for
driving on a restricted road. I had no clue that the road was restricted,
I'd never driven on that road before, and I'm not even from the area.
Also, in VA, the cop gets to set the court date? He handed me the two
tickets with court dates already written on them.

I know in CA you can contest the tickets via mail. Is that possible in VA?
Am I able to change the court date? What options do I have to contest the
tickets? Any info would be helpful, thanks in advance

 

[conjur]

1) Ignorance of the law is no excuse
2) You probably didn't realized you didn't come to a complete stop (but, the cop was probably being a prick)
3) Court dates are set beforehand...monthly or semi-monthly traffic court dates so putting dates on tickets beforehand is no biggie.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: conjur
1) Ignorance of the law is no excuse
2) You probably didn't realized you didn't come to a complete stop (but, the cop was probably being a prick)
3) Court dates are set beforehand...monthly or semi-monthly traffic court dates so putting dates on tickets beforehand is no biggie.

I understand that I did break the law. But I don't really think it was my fault. I'm not familiar with the area, I was lost and trying to find my way back home, and that road was the road that the company said I should take.

 

[yellowperil]

I don't know how it is in VA but in FL if you contest the ticket in court and lose, you are fined an extra $500 and can't opt for traffic school to get the points off your license.

 

[Rallispec]

just show up for court... the judges are usually pretty cool, and will probably drop the charges and all you'll have to do is pay court costs.

 

[deftron]

Hope the cop doesn't show up in court


Otherwise, just go.. you should get off

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: deftron
Hope the cop doesn't show up in court


Otherwise, just go.. you should get off

in VA, it's very rare that cops don't show up in court

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: cchen
Basically, I got 2 tickets today. One was BS, one maybe was my fault. I
was driving near Dulles Airport, on my way home after a one day
contracting job. I took a specific route home because that's the way my
employer said to take. Anyway, that road turned out to be some restricted
road for airport users only. The road was deserted, so I came to a quick
stop at a stop sign and turned right. The cop was hiding behind a bush and
pulled me over, citing that I didn't come to a complete stop, and also for
driving on a restricted road. I had no clue that the road was restricted,
I'd never driven on that road before, and I'm not even from the area.
Also, in VA, the cop gets to set the court date? He handed me the two
tickets with court dates already written on them.

I know in CA you can contest the tickets via mail. Is that possible in VA?
Am I able to change the court date? What options do I have to contest the
tickets? Any info would be helpful, thanks in advance

Yes, you will be able to change the court date, just call the clerk office and they will arrange another court day for you based on the availability of the cop.