ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Trooper Steve was asked, “What does it mean to have adjudication withheld when it comes to traffic tickets?”
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He said having adjudication withheld from a traffic citation makes “the consequences sting a little less.”
“In a nutshell this is when there are no points that come along with the citation and ultimately, a driver only pays monetary fines,” he said.
Trooper Steve said this only happens in a few ways. He said any driver would not want points on their license because the more points you get, it can affect your car insurance and license status.
“If a driver was to receive a ticket with points, they would have a few different options. They would be able to take a driver safety school either in person or online. Then, turn the paperwork into the clerk of the courts office and the points could be withheld,” he said.
A driver could also plead no contest in a court setting and leave the decision to a judge or magistrate.
“The judge would review the driver’s history and the circumstances of the ticket and he or she could withhold adjudication, not put points on a driver’s license, and have the driver only pay the fine,” Trooper Steve said.