02:15
Faizan
When you commit a traffic violation in Tennessee, like running a stop sign, you may be issued a citation if your actions were witnessed by a police officer. The citation describes the violation and when you're scheduled to appear in court to answer the charge. By signing the citation, you agree to appear on the scheduled date and time. However, if you refuse to sign, the cop can immediately arrest you and take you into custody.
Traffic Citations
In Tennessee, traffic tickets may be issued for a variety of traffic ordinance violations, such as a traffic citation for speeding. Other examples include failure to yield, disregarding a traffic signal, reckless driving or following too closely. Traffic citations also can be issued for alcohol or drug-related activity in connection to a vehicle, such as driving under the influence. Penalties for violating a traffic ordinance are varied, but typically include fines and points added to the offender's driving record.
Citation Details
When a Tennessee police officer witnesses a person committing a traffic violation, such as speeding, he typically issues a traffic citation to the driver. The citation is issued in lieu of arrest and contains such information as the identity of the person being cited, notice of the charges against him, and date and place he is to appear to answer the charges against him. Upon completion of the citation, the officer requests the driver's signature. The signature serves as the driver's agreement to appear at the scheduled hearing identified in the citation.
Refusal to Sign
If a driver refuses to sign a citation issued to him, Tennessee law gives the issuing officer the authority to immediately arrest the driver and take him into custody. In an opinion released in 2006, Tennessee's Attorney General confirmed that officers have the authority to arrest persons who refuse to sign a citation for a city code or ordinance violation, including minor traffic offenses. According to the Attorney General's statement, such authority does not violate a person's right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.
Consequences
Once the officer arrests the driver, he is then taken into custody and booked. Not only is the driver charged with the original offense, such as speeding, but also the additional charge of refusing to sign a citation. Afterward, the driver is permitted to pay bail or placed in jail until his scheduled court date.
Traffic Citations
In Tennessee, traffic tickets may be issued for a variety of traffic ordinance violations, such as a traffic citation for speeding. Other examples include failure to yield, disregarding a traffic signal, reckless driving or following too closely. Traffic citations also can be issued for alcohol or drug-related activity in connection to a vehicle, such as driving under the influence. Penalties for violating a traffic ordinance are varied, but typically include fines and points added to the offender's driving record.
Citation Details
When a Tennessee police officer witnesses a person committing a traffic violation, such as speeding, he typically issues a traffic citation to the driver. The citation is issued in lieu of arrest and contains such information as the identity of the person being cited, notice of the charges against him, and date and place he is to appear to answer the charges against him. Upon completion of the citation, the officer requests the driver's signature. The signature serves as the driver's agreement to appear at the scheduled hearing identified in the citation.
Refusal to Sign
If a driver refuses to sign a citation issued to him, Tennessee law gives the issuing officer the authority to immediately arrest the driver and take him into custody. In an opinion released in 2006, Tennessee's Attorney General confirmed that officers have the authority to arrest persons who refuse to sign a citation for a city code or ordinance violation, including minor traffic offenses. According to the Attorney General's statement, such authority does not violate a person's right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.
Consequences
Once the officer arrests the driver, he is then taken into custody and booked. Not only is the driver charged with the original offense, such as speeding, but also the additional charge of refusing to sign a citation. Afterward, the driver is permitted to pay bail or placed in jail until his scheduled court date.
Posted in: Driving Tips
