A Moving violation conviction will carry points which can lead to the loss of your driving privileges. Each driver starts out with 12 points. Each moving violation conviction has a certain number of points attached. This number is different for each violation and differs in each State, County and Municipal jurisdiction. If you “lose” all 12 points or a certain amount of points in a short amount of time, the State will “revoke” or “suspend” your driving privileges for a time dependant on your situation. The points lost for a moving violation are slowly added back to your total over time.
Types of Moving Violations
Speeding
Failure to obey traffic signal or stop sign
Improper lane change
Careless and reckless driving
Most moving violations can be amended to a non-moving violation.
The ability to amend a moving violation is the choice of each individual State, County and Municipal division. They are not required to allow it, and some do not.
An individual with a CDL designation on their license is usually not allowed (by State law) to receive an amendment on ANY moving violation.
Most jurisdictions in Missouri and Kansas require an attorney to amend a moving violation citation. There are a few courts which will allow the individual to appear and obtain an amendment without the requirement of an attorney.
In Missouri, depending on the jurisdiction, citations are usually amended to a “defective equipment” violation, which carries no points.
In Kansas, moving violation citations are usually amended to a diversion with a suspended imposition of sentence or “SIS”. If defendant does not get any additional tickets during the diversionary period, the violation will be removed from his or her driving record.
Non-moving violations carry no points and carry only a fine.
Keep in mind, if these citations are not taken care of, the issuing jurisdiction will issue a warrant in the matter.
If the moving violation citation is amended to a non-moving violation, then no points will be deducted from your driver’s license and, usually, your insurance rates are not affected.