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How do you get a stop sign ticket dismissed?

I live in a town of about 10,000 people in Idaho and the police are notoriously strict about traffic violations. Although I thought I came to a complete stop, I was ticketed last week for running a stop sign. How can I get this stop sign ticket dismissed?

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Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Getting a stop sign ticket dismissed isn’t easy. You have to prove your innocence and the burden of proof falls on you. If you want to attempt to get a stop sign ticket dismissed, try one of these strategies:
  • Hire a lawyer and let them take care of the situation. In some cases, they may be able to plead the charge down to something less severe.
  • Take pictures of the scene that can show that the stop sign was covered by plants, trees, or other vehicles.
  • Claim a mistake of fact. If you believe that you came to a complete stop, take pictures from the ticketing officer’s point of view to show how he or she may have mistaken you for rolling the stop sign.
  • Prove that you rolled the stop sign to avoid a hazard, such as an animal, debris, or another vehicle.
In all cases, you will have to appear in traffic court. The back of your ticket should outline the process, so make sure to show up on your court date. Again, hiring a lawyer is highly advisable so you don’t have to defend yourself.
If you’re unable to successfully get your stop sign ticket dismissed, you may see an increase in your car insurance rates in the future. But before you plop down the extra cash, download the
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