Getting a speeding ticket is stressful. Not only do they cost a lot of money, but they also come with points on your license and insurance rates go up.

It gets even worse if you have to go to court. You don’t want to miss your court date because it gets you into trouble and you have to pay court fines.

Instead, you want to do whatever you can to get out of the ticket. While you may start thinking about how to bribe the police officer or switch lanes a lot, there are other ways out as well.

You can fight the ticket by selecting a plea that states you are not guilty or in no contest. But what is the difference?

Keep reading to know the guilty vs no contest speeding ticket difference.

Guilty Plea 

Pleading guilty means that you admit that you were speeding and breaking the law which results in a conviction. This conviction will go on your driving record and may result in increased insurance rates.

No Contest Plea

Pleading no contest means that you do not admit guilt, but you do not contest the ticket either. In some states, pleading for no contest may also keep you from being able to contest the ticket in court if you later decide you want to fight a speeding ticket.

The Pros and Cons of Each Option

Pleading guilty is often the quickest and easiest way to resolve a speeding ticket since you are not fighting the ticket in court. You will end up with points on your driving record, which can lead to higher insurance rates. If you have a commercial driver’s license, a guilty plea can also lead to consequences at work.

Pleading no contest may take a bit longer, as you will have to go to court, but it can be worth it if you are able to get the ticket dismissed or reduced. Keep in mind, though, that even if you are not guilty, the court can still order you to pay fines and fees related to the case.

How to Decide Between Guilty and No Contest Speeding Tickets

When you are issued a speeding ticket, you will have the option to either plead guilty or have no contest. If you plead guilty, you will pay the ticket fine and may also incur other consequences, such as points on your license.

If you plead no contest, you will not have to pay the ticket fine, but you will still have a record of the offense. 

If you are certain that you were speeding, then pleading guilty may be the best option. By pleading guilty, you can avoid the hassle and expense of going to court.

If you are not sure whether you were speeding or not, then pleading no contest may be a better option.

Weigh Guilty vs No Contest Speeding Ticket Differences

When you are facing a speeding ticket, you have the option to plead guilty or have no contest. If you’re considering pleading no contest to a speeding ticket, be sure to first weigh the guilty vs no contest speeding tickets differences. So, either of the two you are going to choose, be sure to first consult with an attorney to see if it’s in your best interest.

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