What does it mean to "plead not guilty" to traffic citations?

Pleading not guilty to traffic citations involves contesting the citation and requesting a hearing. This action indicates that the individual does not accept the charges brought against them and wishes to dispute the evidence or circumstances surrounding the citation in a legal setting. By choosing to contest the citation, the individual essentially asks for the opportunity to present their case before a judge, or another officer of the court, who will decide on the validity of the traffic violation claimed in the citation. This legal process often includes the examination of evidence from both the individual contesting the citation and the issuing officer, with the goal of determining whether the citation should be upheld or dismissed.

Other options such as accepting responsibility or paying the fine imply acknowledgment of the violation, which contradicts the intent of pleading not guilty. Similarly, filing a complaint against the officer does not pertain directly to contesting the citation; it entails expressing dissatisfaction with the officer's conduct rather than challenging the traffic citation itself.