What might be a consequence of pleading not guilty and losing in court?

Pleading not guilty and then losing in court can indeed lead to increased fines or penalties. When a defendant pleads not guilty, they are asserting their innocence and challenging the evidence against them. If the court finds them guilty, they may face more severe consequences than if they had pleaded guilty or accepted a plea deal. This can include higher fines, longer license suspensions, or even points being added to their driving record, depending on the nature of the traffic violation.

Additionally, the court may take the lack of a plea deal or cooperation into account when determining the final penalties, which can exacerbate the situation further. This potential for increased fines or penalties serves as a significant consideration for defendants when deciding their course of action following a traffic citation.