my first ticket, should I go to court?

go to court because usually a police officer doesn't go to court

If he's not there, you'll win

Go to court and ask for traffic school. You will still have to pay, but it stays off your record and in the long run it will cost you less. Fighting a ticket is too hard. You have to prove your case, because the cop almost always gets the benefit in court.

Show up to court, sometimes the cop doesn't show, therefore your ticket is dismissed. If he does show they will reduce the fine if it's your first ticket. Also, if you recognize the cop before the court hearing talk to him and see if there is anything that you can do to get it reduced like taking a class or something. Anyway, I got lucky, cop didn't show. =0)

you do not need a witness for this. If you believe you are right stand up for yourself and go to court. you maybe able to to get some free legal advice if you check some other web-sites out. the problem is a lot of people just pay the tickets and the police get away with it.

You could either go to court and try and argue it, or go to traffic school. Not sure what state or country your in but here in Az. every two years you can go to traffic school on a ticket and pay the fee to take the class and have it wiped off your record, better than paying higher insurance.

always go to court and plead not guilty ,the prosecutor just wants your money and will always make an offer ,i myself am a habitual speeder and red light runner and i always get my tickets reduced to a charge of failure to obey a sign or signal which is in someway better because it doesnt carry any points over to your driving record and your insurance wont go up,and if you plead not guilty and the cop isnt in court that day sometimes they will drop it and you win,,,good luck

Could be worth it. His word against yours.

If you do go to court, dress smartly, keep it simple, don't loose your cool, be polite to everybody- even the cop who booked you.

Respect for the court will go a long way with the Magistrate / Sheriff / Judge etc. presiding.

Just pay it, damn its only around a $75 ticket. Maybe next time you will get off your cell phone and pay attention to what you are doing as opposed to conversing with your girlfriend. And next time remember to stop.

I would just take defensive driving. If you go to court and lose, it Will cost way more money, time, and also go on your record.

Pay the ticket.