A moving violation is a type of traffic infraction. There are many types of moving violations, such as speeding, changing lanes without a signal, and driving under the influence (DUI). In some places, there are special police units dedicated to enforcement of laws that pertain to these violations. Generally, the consequence of such an infraction depends upon the type and severity of the moving violation.
A traffic infraction is an illegal offense that involves a motor vehicle. When the vehicle is in motion, this type of offense is commonly referred to as a moving violation. This is in contrast to other traffic violations that occur when the vehicle is not in motion, such as parking too close to a fire hydrant or leaving a vehicle in a no-parking zone.
There is a wide range of moving traffic offenses. They can range from minor offenses, such as changing lanes without a signal, to serious offenses, such as DUI. When a person is caught committing a minor traffic offense, she will generally be given a ticket by a police officer. This ticket may not prove that an individual is guilty. Instead, it may act as a person’s acknowledgment that she has been formally accused.
When a person receives a ticket for a moving violation, she may have the opportunity to go to court if she wishes to dispute the charges. If the moving violation is for a minor offense, she may be able to pay a fine without appearing in court. When the infraction is serious, however, the person may be arrested on the spot. This is often the case with DUIs and excessive speeding. In these instances, a person is usually required to appear in court.
A person convicted of a serious moving violation generally faces several consequences. A person may have to serve time in jail. She may lose her driver’s license. Her vehicle may be impounded. Generally, such convictions also require the individual to pay court fines and court costs.
A single minor moving violation does not usually result in the loss of driver’s licenses. Many jurisdictions maintain a system where each violation causes a person to incur a certain number of points. When the number of points incurred exceeds a set number, a person may lose her driver’s license. Points usually only remain on a person’s record for a certain amount of time. If a person incurs points but commits no further traffic infractions, her record should eventually be clean.