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1. What is a traffic case?

If you violate the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, and are issued a ticket by a police officer, you may be subject to fines and points on your driving record if it is a civil infraction. If your ticket is for a misdemeanor traffic violation, the penalty may also include a jail sentence. Both civil infractions and misdemeanor tickets may be disputed in a court hearing or trial.

2. What is important for me to do upon receiving my traffic ticket?

If you have received a traffic ticket, it is important to read both sides of the ticket. The ticket will indicate whether you are accused of committing a civil infraction or a misdemeanor. Also located on the ticket is information about how you can respond to the ticket, where you may need to appear, and what your rights are. Most traffic violations are heard by district judges or magistrates in the district court located closest to where the incident occurred. The penalty for a traffic civil infraction is payment of fines, costs, and fees. Points may also be added to the driving record by the Secretary of State. A person cannot be sent to jail for a civil infraction.

If you have received a traffic ticket, you have 10 business days to answer that citation; namely, to admit or deny responsibility. You are not required to pay the fine within 10 days.

Please read and follow the instructions on the back of your ticket, indicate your decision, and send it to us as soon as possible. Our address is on the front of your ticket; our mailing address is:
310 S Jackson Street
Jackson, MI 49201

3. What if I have received a civil infraction traffic ticket?

If you have received a civil infraction traffic ticket, you may respond in 1 of 4 ways.

First, you may admit responsibility for the violation and pay the fine associated with the offense(s). To determine the fine/cost of your ticket, you may contact us directly at 517-788-4250.

Second, you may admit responsibility with an explanation. This is your opportunity to write a letter to the magistrate explaining how or why you received the citation. The magistrate will review your explanation, along with your driving record, and the court will advise you in writing of the magistrate’s decision.

Third, you may ask the court for an informal hearing where you and the police officer can explain to the judge or magistrate what happened. Attorneys are not allowed at informal hearings.

Fourth, you may ask for a formal hearing where the prosecutor will have to show that traffic laws were violated. You may hire an attorney to represent you at a formal hearing.

If you do not respond in 1 of these 4 ways, a default judgment will be issued and your driver's license will eventually be suspended.

View a list of our traffic fines and costs on the Published Fines and Costs Schedule page.

4. What if I want to dispute my ticket?

If you wish to dispute your ticket, please turn the ticket over and find the box at the bottom that reads, “deny responsibility." Over the writing in that box, sign, date, and place your daytime telephone number. Then send your ticket to the Court in care of the address on the front of the ticket, on or before 10 business days from the date you received the ticket. Please let us know if your address is different than that on the face of the ticket. You will receive a postcard within 2 weeks notifying you of your hearing scheduled before the Magistrate.

5. Are police officers required to attend contested traffic hearings?

Yes. All Jackson County law enforcement officers are required to attend any hearing scheduled for a ticket he/she has issued. The Court issues a monthly report for all the agencies, listing any officers who have failed to appear for traffic hearings scheduled before the Magistrate.

6. Can a judge/magistrate dismiss my ticket if I attend a driver improvement class?

While legislation is pending to allow a dismissal upon payment of fines and costs after attending a driver improvement class, judges and magistrates do not yet have the authority to do this.