Warning (traffic stop)
Encyclopedia
When a traffic stop
is made, a warning issued by the officer
is a statement that the motorist has committed some offense, but is being spared the actual citation. Officers can use their own discretion whether to issue a citation or warning. The motorist may receive the warning either verbally or as a written slip of paper stating the infraction, but will not be charged with the offense, will not have to pay a fine, and will not receive any points. Depending on the laws of the jurisdiction, the warning may or may not appear on records visible to officers, which if it does, could result in another stop within a fixed period of time leading to an actual citation, or in some cases, the motorist may be charged with both offenses.
A warning may be viewed by some drivers as a lucky break. But many police departments will keep track of warnings given so the driver involved may be at risk for receiving an actual citation if another stop is made.
In some places, officers see the advantage to giving warnings as being less paperwork. They enable officers to use their time more efficiently, and reduce the likelihood that the officer will have to appear in court.
Traffic stop
A traffic stop, commonly called Being pulled over, is a temporary detention of a driver of a vehicle by police to investigate a possible crime or civil infraction. In constitutional law in the United States, a traffic stop is considered to be a subset of the Terry stop; the standard set by the...
is made, a warning issued by the officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
is a statement that the motorist has committed some offense, but is being spared the actual citation. Officers can use their own discretion whether to issue a citation or warning. The motorist may receive the warning either verbally or as a written slip of paper stating the infraction, but will not be charged with the offense, will not have to pay a fine, and will not receive any points. Depending on the laws of the jurisdiction, the warning may or may not appear on records visible to officers, which if it does, could result in another stop within a fixed period of time leading to an actual citation, or in some cases, the motorist may be charged with both offenses.
A warning may be viewed by some drivers as a lucky break. But many police departments will keep track of warnings given so the driver involved may be at risk for receiving an actual citation if another stop is made.
In some places, officers see the advantage to giving warnings as being less paperwork. They enable officers to use their time more efficiently, and reduce the likelihood that the officer will have to appear in court.