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Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal KNOW YOUR RIGHTS An explanation of your rights and the procedures followed by the Traffic Tribunal
YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CIVIL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONYour civil traffic violation will be heard in either the Traffic Tribunal or a Municipal Court. The ticket is a legal document charging you with a violation and a legal summons for your appearance for the hearing. It states the offense, the time and place when you should appear. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? 1. Read the ticket carefully 2. Consider your options: You may pay the ticket by mail, by telephone, by Internet or in person. or You may appear in court at a hearing. You may wish to consult with an attorney of your choice at your own cost. PAY BY MAILBENEFITS OF PAYING BY MAIL: 1. You will save money because there are no costs assessed! 2. You do not have to appear in court! YOU MAY PAY TRAFFIC TRIBUNAL TICKETS BY PHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET WITH A CREDIT CARD: If you have a MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover credit card you may pay by phone or the Internet. This service is provided by VitalCheck Network, Inc. There will be a convenience fee for using either service. If payment is to be made by phone, the toll-free number is 1- 877- 435 - 9361. If
payment is to be made via the Internet, log on to http://www.courtpayments.com. ARRAIGNMENTIf you wish to appear for hearing there will be an arraignment. At arraignment you may admit the charge(s) or request a full hearing where evidence will be presented. If you admit Violation you can explain if you wish. A judgment will enter with a fine and/or costs. Payment will be required at that time. If you plead not guilty to the Violation the matter will be continued to date certain for trial. You will sign a notice of trial with a copy retained by you. There is a no continuance policy in effect. On the trial date all witnesses should be present. The state has the burden of proving the offense by clear and convincing evidence. If, after trial you are found not to have violated the law, the matter will be dismissed- no money will be paid and you will have no record of a traffic violation. If you are found guilty of the violation, a judgment enters and you will be ordered to pay fines, costs and assessments. PAYMENT OF FINES & COSTSFines, costs and assessments must be paid immediately. If you are unable to pay at the end of the trial a payment schedule may be established. A failure to pay fines and costs will result in a loss of your driver's license and/or loss of your auto registration. APPEALS PROCEDUREYou have a right to appeal any judgment of the Traffic Tribunal or Municipal Court to the appellate panel of the Traffic Tribunal. You must then file a Notice of Appeal within 10 days with a fee of $25.00. The appeals procedure requires a certification that a copy of the complaint has been served on the prosecution. All appeals will follow the rules and procedures provided by law (the Administrative Procedures Act). The Appellate Panel will review the record to determine if the judgment which entered is in accordance with law. There will not be a new trial or evidentiary hearing unless remanded back to the trial court for further hearing. GOOD DRIVING RECORDIf you have a good driving record you may request that your summons be dismissed upon payment of costs by pleading guilty with a good driving record. You must appear in court to request this procedure. “Good driving record” means no moving violations within the three (3) years prior to the current violation. If you are an out-of-state motorist, you must bring a certified copy of your driving record to your arraignment. It should be requested from your state’s registry at least 30 days before your court date. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR IN COURT1. A default judgment will enter for the fine and costs. (This judgment is good for twenty (20) years and interest will accrue at a rate of 1 % per month). 2. Your license will be suspended. 3. Your registration will be revoked. 4. An execution and citation form will be served upon you making demand for payment; it will also provide a new court date. 5. Failure to appear will result in a body attachment being issued (a civil arrest warrant). 6. All costs for this procedure will be assessed to you. Any and all goods may be seized in accordance with law.
DISABILITY NOTICEFor handicap assistance at the Traffic Tribunal call 401-275-2700. For Municipal Court cases contact that court. |
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