How to Process a Ticket

How to Process a Traffic Ticket

Receiving a summons for a traffic offense can be a very unsettling experience. Everything seems to happen very quickly and although we try to explain the process for handling your summons many people will often have questions as to how to process their paperwork.

Turn your summons over and carefully read the instructions printed on the reverse side of your ticket. Follow these instructions carefully. You have 30 days from the date written on the front side of the ticket to respond to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you decide to plead Guilty or Nolo Contendere you will need to mail to the Department of Motor Vehicles your copy of the summons. You must include the total amount of the fine due at this time. The State will not bill you for the fines due. The ticket and the total payment must be mailed so as to be received by the Department of Motor Vehicles no later than 30 days from the date indicated on the front side of the summons.

If you elect to plead Not Guilty, you need to return your copy of the summons so as to be received by the Department of Motor Vehicles no later than 30 days from the date written in on the front of the ticket. You will be notified by return mail as to the court date for your trial. At trial you (or your attorney) will be allowed to present your defense.

Remember, in any case, you must respond to the traffic summons within the 30 time period. Failure to respond (either Guilty, Nolo or Not Guilty) will result in action being initiated by the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driver's license (if a New Hampshire resident) or your privilege to operate a vehicle (if you reside outside New Hampshire). You will then be faced with the additional chore (and its associated fees) of restoring your driving privileges.

The members of the Merrimack Police Department are sworn to uphold the laws of the State of New Hampshire and the Town of Merrimack. Enforcing the traffic laws and town traffic regulations is part of their job. Everybody is striving to make the roads of Merrimack a safer place for all of us. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Administrative Services Bureau at 424-3774.