How to Pay Traffic Tickets in South Carolina
If you decide to pay your South Carolina traffic citation issued as a result of a certain infraction, you may complete the process via different methods, generally depending on the county where you received your citation. By paying driving fines in SC, you admit your guilt to the committed offense, which may result in further penalties and demerit points on your driving record.
The process of fighting traffic tickets in court is generally more complex than paying your fines. Find out how and where to submit South Carolina traffic tickets payments by reading the following sections:
- How to pay a traffic ticket fine in South Carolina
- South Carolina traffic ticket attorneys
- Pleading not guilty in South Carolina
- Dismissal of charges in South Carolina
- Lost tickets in South Carolina
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket Fine in South Carolina
SC ticket violation payment methods typically depend on where motorists received their summons, as well as the type of the offense in question.
If the issued traffic citation requires a mandatory court appearance, drivers must answer to their ticket by personally visiting the corresponding court. Other South Carolina traffic tickets payment options include online or by mail.
Paying a South Carolina Ticket Online
To see whether you are eligible to pay traffic fines online in South Carolina, you must first access the SC official website. Once there, you will find a list of all counties and municipalities allowing online payments.
If the county where you received your traffic fine offers such option, you will then need to follow the system’s instructions to submit your payment.
Paying traffic tickets online usually requires you to provide your case/ticket number. Once you locate your case, you must enter your cardholder details to finalize the transaction.
Paying a South Carolina Ticket via Other Methods
If you are not eligible for SC traffic fines online payment submissions, you may be able to make a payment via mail or in person depending on the corresponding court.
When sending your ticket violation payment by mail, you are generally required to provide a copy of your ticket or citation number along with a check or money order. In-person payments usually require cash, though other forms of payments may be accepted as well.
Consult your traffic fine or contact the presiding traffic violation court in South Carolina to inquire about further details regarding mail-in and in-person payments.
South Carolina Traffic Ticket Attorneys
Motorists who choose to fight traffic tickets instead of paying their driving fines in SC may consider using the services of an experienced attorney to successfully complete the process.
Hiring a traffic ticket lawyer to represent them in court is an effective way to dismiss their charges and avoid the negative consequences of the committed offense. A good traffic citation attorney may help drivers avoid points on their driving transcripts, suspensions or revocations of driving privileges and increases in vehicle insurance rates.
You may find an effective traffic lawyer quickly and easily online by answering a few basic questions and snapping a picture of your traffic ticket.
Pleading Not Guilty in South Carolina
The procedure of contesting a traffic ticket in South Carolina is generally initiated by entering a plea of “not guilty” in due time. When deciding to fight traffic citations, drivers will need to either consult their summons or contact the presiding court for the exact steps to complete the process.
In general, motorists who wish to dispute traffic tickets are expected to deliver a strong defense. Therefore, when preparing their South Carolina traffic ticket defense, drivers will need to present any credible evidence and contact any reliable witnesses who can testify on their behalf.
A good lawyer can be an essential resource for any driver who wishes to avoid these penalties. Fortunately, experienced traffic lawyers may be found relatively easily online.
Dismissal of Charges in South Carolina
Traffic violation courts generally allow drivers to become eligible for ticket dismissal by participating in a defensive driving course.
Prior to taking such action, however, South Carolina drivers must contact the court handling their case to check whether completing a traffic school course is an available option for ticket dismissal at the moment. Another way to dismiss traffic tickets in SC is to enroll into the state Traffic Education Program (TEP).
Note that you will be required to meet certain eligibility requirements and follow a specific application procedure for this program. If you are unable to dismiss your traffic citation via any of the aforementioned methods, then inspect your summons carefully, as any incorrect information listed in the form may lead to dismissal of your charges.
Lost Tickets in South Carolina
The details contained within South Carolina traffic fines are usually mandatory to challenge speeding tickets or pay the set fines. Drivers who have misplaced their SC traffic citation may obtain the necessary information by contacting the relevant municipal or magistrate court.
Important traffic fine details usually include the ticket number, the time and date of issuance, as well as the citation fine and deadline among others.