Driving in another state can present some challenges. You might be stressed out about driving on roads that you are unfamiliar with. This could lead you to get lost and frustrated while driving. Being unfamiliar with the area could mean that you don’t know the speed limits of certain areas. You might find yourself being pulled over when you had no idea that you were speeding. Or, maybe you were driving a little faster to get back on track. Whatever the reason, if you face a speeding ticket in Iowa as an out of towner, you might not be familiar with the speeding ticket process. If this is the case, you can learn more about it here.
Learning About Your Ticket
In the state of Iowa, it doesn’t matter what county you are pulled over in. No matter what county you are in, you will face the same penalties for a speeding ticket. This is different than some other states that have speeding ticket penalties vary by county. Look at the ticket that the police officer gave you to determine how you should proceed.
If you can’t find the fine or the information that you need on the ticket, there are some other ways that you can get this information. One option is to look up your ticket on the Iowa Courts Online Payment Search. Another way to get this information is to contact the court or the court clerk. You can also look at your ticket to see if it says anything about unscheduled or non-scheduled hearings. If it does, you have to go to a mandatory court hearing. At this hearing, you will learn more about the fines and penalties of the ticket.
Your ticket will have important information about your fine. If you lose the ticket, you can go to the Lost IA Traffic Ticket website to find this information.
How To Plead
Like many states, Iowa has a few different options if you have a speeding ticket. You can plead guilty or nolo contendere to the ticket. If this happens, you pay the fine for speeding. You will also get some points assessed from your driver’s license. Another issue you might face is increased auto insurance rates. But, if you take care of the ticket by pleading guilty, you won’t have to appear in court or return to Iowa. This can be a plus if you live far away. If you plead not guilty to the ticket, you have to appear in court to fight it. You should talk to a lawyer about this option to see if it is right for you.
In Iowa, there is also the option of attending a driver improvement school. You should talk to a lawyer if you are interested in attending driver improvement school. In some cases and for some violations, a judge will order that you attend driver improvement school.
If you get a speeding ticket or another traffic violation in Iowa, you should discuss your options with an attorney. Contact our office for a free consultation as soon as possible.
