Law enforcement officials issue traffic tickets in Texas for a large variety of traffic violations. Drivers who receive a traffic citation in TX can settle the issue by completing the procedure to pay traffic ticket online or via other alternative methods or by contesting the issue through the corresponding court. The processes of paying fines and fighting tickets may vary based on the procedural differences of specific state courts. To learn how to settle a ticket, and to find out how a citation affects your driving record and your vehicle liability insurance coverage in Texas, read the sections below.
Sep 16, 2011 - (1) “Vehicle in Motion' is the first thing police officers are told to look for. During that phase the police officers look for certain driving cues – a. Weaving across lane lines. Of vehicle; Leans against vehicle; Keeps hands on vehicle for balance. Most likely—but that will give you evidence in your defense. (9.) In 1993, 54 security guards and officers were murdered in the line of duty compared to a law enforcement homicide rate of 68 public police officers and detectives. (10.) It was but a brief reprieve in the criminal violence directed against security guards.
Fighting a Texas Ticket
The process to fight traffic tickets in Texas can be initiated by submitting a plea of not guilty and requesting a trial date through the court that is processing your ticket. The methods available to initiate the procedure to challenge speeding tickets or other types of citations varies based on the practices of the presiding court and the period of time that has passed since you received the traffic citation in TX. For instance, contesting a traffic ticket in Dallas is a process that can be started via the internet only if you are within the first 21 days of the date of issuance.
After carefully preparing your traffic ticket defense in TX, you will be given the opportunity to present your case on the scheduled trial date. Note that courts may also offer drivers the option to settle their citations at a pre-trial hearing by changing their plea to guilty for purposes of receiving reduced penalties.
Drivers who choose to dispute their tickets before a judge or a jury will suffer the full consequences of their offense, in the event they lose their case. If you successfully dismiss your ticket you will be exonerated of all charges and your driver’s record and car insurance premiums will remain unaffected.
Paying a Texas Ticket
If you choose to pay speeding tickets in Texas or other types of citations, you are admitting your guilt of the charges, and a traffic conviction will be reported on your record. The methods available to provide your traffic tickets payment in TX vary depending on the court that is handling your case.
Note that drivers are unable to utilize the option of paying tickets for certain types of offenses, and they will be required to appear in court. A traffic lawyer may be able to help you reduce your payment amount or dismiss your ticket altogether, depending on the violation.
Lost Tickets in Texas
Drivers who lose their traffic tickets in Texas may encounter certain difficulties when settling their citation issues, as the ticket contains important information such as the traffic fine amount, the available payment methods and the deadline to plead. Retrieving the information from a lost traffic citation in TX is a procedure that can easily be completed via the internet. A large number of courts within the state offer an online ticket search option.
The Texas Highway Patrol also offers a citation search engine through its official webpage for the tickets it issues. To retrieve your traffic ticket data online, you will generally be required to enter several personal details, such as full name, date of birth and your driving license number. If you are unable to complete the process via the internet, you can still contact the presiding court and retrieve the necessary data via more conventional methods.
Texas Fines and Penalties
Drivers who fail to beat a traffic ticket in Texas will be required to pay the fine associated with their ticket. The ticket violation payment generally varies from county to county. Separate state courts charge additional fees as well, which also vary throughout the state.
Motorists who choose to pay driving ticket online in San Antonio, for example, will be charged with an additional $4 convenience fee. The following list outlines several examples of fines that can be assessed in the area of Houston, TX:
- Driving at night without lights: $189
- Seat belt violation: $204
- Failure to establish financial responsibility: $279
- Speeding 30 or more mph over the posted limit: $304
Note: Your ticket will contain detailed information about the fees and costs applicable to your case.
In addition to the court-set fines and fees, drivers may also be required to pay annual surcharges to the state Department of Public Safety (DPS). For instance, if you are ticketed for driving without a valid license, you will be required to pay an additional $250 per year to the state DPS. Keep in mind that DUI violations carry heavier penalties and may be difficult to dispute.
Points in Texas
Drivers convicted of traffic violations in Texas generally receive a certain amount of points on their driving history records. Note that not all types of offenses result in points. If you are unable to beat a traffic ticket in TX for a first Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offense, for instance, you will not receive penalty points since you will be mandated by the state DPS to pay an annual surcharge.
While convictions of standard TX traffic violations lead to two demerit points, offenses that also result in a crash accrue three points. The following list outlines several types of infractions that may result in two-point penalties in TX:
- Failure to safely restrain a child in your vehicle
- Traveling under or over the posted speed limit
- Following too closely
- Fleeing from the scene of a collision
- Unsafe lane changes
Note: Certain state courts also allow drivers to complete an official defensive driving course for purposes of ticket dismissal. If you are eligible for this option, you will not accumulate any points, as the conviction will not be reported on your record.
How Tickets Affect a Texas Drivers License
Motorists who were issued traffic citations in Texas may be facing driving license suspensions or revocations as well. For example, motorists who are unable to dispute traffic tickets in TX for certain more serious offenses, such as driving under the influence and insurance-related infractions, may be penalized with immediate suspension or revocation penalties.
Drivers who fail to dismiss traffic tickets in TX on at least four separate occasions within any 12-month period, or on seven or more occasions within any 24-month period are also penalized with license suspensions. If you receive several tickets that accumulate at least six points, you will be required by the state DPS to pay a certain surcharge amount. Failure to do so will result in a driving license suspension as well.
Texas Car Insurance Fines and Violations
Motorists may incur traffic tickets in Texas for operating their vehicles without the proper vehicle insurance coverage. If you are unable to successfully beat a traffic ticket for a no-insurance offense, you will be convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, and you will be required to pay a traffic fine of up to $4,000. You will also have to pay an annual surcharge of $250 for three consecutive years.
Note: Drivers who repeatedly receive citations may also witness an increase in their car liability insurance rates, due to the detrimental effect of ticket convictions on their records.
Last updated on Friday, March 15 2019.
In most U.S. jurisdictions, tickets formoving violations are sometimes accompanied by “points” against your driver’slicense. As a driver accumulates points,he or she may be required to attend a defensive driving course, re-take thedriving test, or surrender their license in extreme cases. All states entitle individuals facing licensesuspension to receive a hearing.
You should study your ticket and look forthe specific traffic law that the officer claims that you violated. Break the law down into understandablephrases or elements. Most laws willstate, “It is a violation to do this and that”. If you did not violate every element of the specific law, a judge maydecide to dismiss your case on a technicality. If the officer cites the wrong statute on the ticket, or grossly misidentifiedthe highway or your make of car, you might get your ticket dismissed.
Determine if in fact you violated the law,but had a legal reason for doing so. Anyemergency situation may be grounds for the court to take into considerationyour reason for violating the law.
Someexamples of these might include:
- A medical emergency such as a passenger in laborand you are en route to the hospital
- Taking evasive action to avoid an accident
- Briefly speeding up while passing anothervehicle on a non-divided highway where passing in the opposite lane ispermitted
- If you are being chased or in fear for yourlife
Keep in mind that is always up to the courtor judge to decide what constitutes a valid reason for the offense committed.
Consequences of Your Ticket
1. Fines
When a person is found guilty of a movingviolation, it has multiple consequences in terms of the financial impact andthe effect it has on the individual’s driving record. The fines, penalties and fees for trafficoffenses vary greatly depending on a number of circumstances. Generally, the average cost of a speedingticket ranges from a fine of $150 to $200.
However, if you are cited for speeding in aschool or construction zone, the penalty will be assessed at a much higherrate. In addition, the greater yourspeed over the limit, the greater the fine. Traveling at 10-15 mph over the limit may result in a fine of $288, whereasgoing 20-30 mph over results in a penalty of $438 depending on the local andstate laws where the offense occurred.
Some states assess a hefty fine forillegally using the carpool or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. InCalifornia, the fine for this can range between $400 and $1000. Even if a police officer does not catch youcommitting this offense, you may still be in danger from programs that allowother drivers to report the offenders.
2. Traffic Ticket Point System and Driving Record
Most states have a system that assignspoint values for traffic offenses. Accumulationof a certain number of points within a given period of time may result insuspension or revocation of the motorist’s license. The point system assigns a certain number ofpoints for specific violations. Theviolations considered more serious are assigned a greater number of points.
The points system helps the Department ofMotor Vehicles (DMV) track reckless drivers. Points can usually be added or taken away, depending on your state’srules. Many states allow the removal ofpoints from a driver’s record under certain circumstances. If a driver has no violations for a fixedperiod of time, a specified number of points will be removed. Points may also be automatically removedafter the passage of time. The severityof the moving violation will add points to your driving record, which canresult in various fines, fees, and eventually the suspension of your license.
Some jurisdictions provide exceptions forprofessional drivers such as taxi, bus or trick drivers. Individuals in these professions may beallowed to accumulate more points than a non-professional driver before theirlicense will be affected.
To learn about the point system’s rules andregulations in your area, contact your local DMV office. They can give you specific information on thepoint system that may affect you. Theycan also tell you how many points you have on your record. Most states allow you to request a copy ofyour driving record for a nominal fee, usually about $10.
3. Impact on Insurance Rates
Insurance companies raise premiums based onthe assumption that a speeding driver is not a safe driver. Thus, there is a potential likelihood of anaccident in the future, which will be a huge expenditure for them.
Most insurance companies will allow onemoving violation every three to five years. Violations that exceed that will likely result in your insurancepremiums being raised. Insurancecompanies give a “good-driver” discount which can save hundred of dollars inyearly insurance premiums.
The more infractions you have on yourdriving record, the more risky you are to insure. You may have a limited selection of providersthat are willing to insure you. However,there are auto insurance companies that specialize in offering affordablecoverage to high-risk drivers. Moststates keep violations on your driving record for three years, and in somestates as long as 5 years or more. Policyholdersmay not realize that their insurers continue to charge higher rates, even afterthe violation has been removed from their driving record. The insurance company usually only checksyour record when you apply for a policy. Therefore, it is important to take it upon yourself to let them knowwhen the time period has expired.
If your license has been suspended, you mayneed to get an SR-22 filing before the DMV will reinstate your license. An SR-22 filing tells the DMV that you haveat least the minimum amount of required insurance for your state. It also means that the insurance company willcontact the DMV if your insurance is canceled or you let it lapse. Once you get your license back, you will needto maintain your SR-22 for the required amount of time, usually between one andthree years.
4. License Suspension
A state may temporarily suspend yourdriving privileges for a number of reasons, including:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol ordrugs
- Refusing to take a blood-alcohol test
- Driving without liability insurance
- Speeding (excessive speed)
- Reckless driving
- Leaving the scene of an accident involvinginjuries
- Failing to pay a driving-related fine
- Failing to appear in court for a trafficoffense
- Failing to file an accident report
- Failure to maintain insurance
- Owing back child support (in some states)
- Street racing
- Failure to properly secure a child (3 ormore convictions)
- Truancy for juveniles for habitual absencefrom school
If you face license suspension, you will beallowed a hearing where you can explain the circumstances regarding theviolations. You may be able to offermitigating circumstances that led to the infraction. All hearings are tape-recorded and are oftenconducted by telephone. The HearingOfficer from the Department of Licensing will review the issues to bedecided. Their decision may take up totwo weeks from the date of the hearing. If they decide to suspend your license, you may appeal the decisionthrough Superior Court. You have theright to be represented by legal counsel at your own expense.
The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) maintains a National Driver Registry that sharesinformation regarding license suspensions, revocations, or those convicted ofserious traffic violations. Theymaintain a computerized database of information on individuals provided by thestate motor vehicle agencies. Asuspension or revocation must be cleared by the state in which it originated.
Driving with a revoked or suspended licenseis considered a serious offense. Thepunishment can range from large fines, mandatory imprisonment, or both. In some states, the prosecution must provethat the motorist had actual or constructive knowledge that his or her licensewas suspended or revoked at the time he or she was driving.
5. Jail Time or Community Service
The traffic offenses that are most likelyto include jail time may include:
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Fleeing from or eluding the police
- Vehicular manslaughter or homicide
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Among driving violations, driving under theinfluence is usually considered a special case. In every state, it is a crime to operate a vehicle if the affects ofeither drugs or alcohol impair your ability to safely operate thatvehicle. The penalties for a DUI in moststates have grown much harsher in recent years. In every state, a driver convicted of a DUI will lose their licenses fora period of time. Some states requireshort jail terms for first-time offenders. Most states require drunk-driving offenders to complete some type oftreatment program.
The minimum penalty for a first-timemisdemeanor DUI can include one to ten days in jail. The maximum can be up to 6 months in jail inmost states. Serious traffic offensesmay carry the penalty of a jail sentence. All individuals accused of a crime or traffic offenses that carry thepenalty of a jail sentence have the following rights:
- To have a lawyer present at all hearings
- To have a lawyer appointed at publicexpense if the defendant cannot afford to hire one
- To represent themselves without an attorney
- To a public, speedy, and jury trial
- To cross-examine any witness who testifiesagainst you
- To call witnesses to testify on your behalfand have the court compel their attendance
- To testify or not testify on your ownbehalf
- To appeal to the Superior Court ifconvicted after a not-guilty plea
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving can be categorized as a Class1 Misdemeanor in certain states, which carries a sentence of up to 12 months injail. It is considered a criminaloffense and is in the same misdemeanor classification of many other offensessuch as assault and battery and petty larceny. Charges for reckless driving can vary between excessively exceeding thespeed limit, passing a stopped school bus or engaging in racing on a publicroad.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
When a motor vehicle accident occurs, statetraffic laws requires the drivers involved to following certain proceduresimmediately following the incident:
- Give the driver’s name and address, andregistration number of the vehicle to the other party involved in the collision
- On request, show the person’s driver’slicense to the other driver involved or the police officer
- Render reasonable assistance to anyoneinjured in the accident
- If you caused property damage and the ownerof the other vehicle was not present, you are required to leave a note withyour information
If a driver leaves the scene of a motorvehicle accident, they can be found guilty of a misdemeanor, which can resultin fines and jail time ranging between 2 weeks or 2 years. If the accident resulted in physical injury toanother party or property damage in excess of a certain amount, they may becharged with a felony. The first offensemay subject the driver to fines ranging from $500 to $1000 and 6 months to 2years in jail. Their driver’s licensewill be suspended and they will be assessed up to 8 points on their drivingrecord in states that use the point system.
An individual who leaves the scene of anaccident that results in another individual’s death in order to avoidprosecution or evade apprehension will be charged with a felony. The fines can range from $1000 to $5000. A prison sentence of 2 to 10 years will beimposed, with a minimum of 1-year in jail. Some states have much harsher penalties thatcould result in being fined anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 and up to 15years behind bars.
Eluding or Evading the Police
Attempting to flee or elude a policeofficer after they have signaled you to pull over is against the law. You could face a fine of $500 to $5,000 andjail time of 10 days to 12 months. Insome cases, you may have your driver’s license suspended for 6 months to 2years. If you create a risk of death orinjury to anyone, including yourself, in the process, the penalties will bemuch harsher.
Vehicular Homicide or Manslaughter
Vehicular homicide in most states is acrime that is categorized as a felony. It can lead to a criminal charge and conviction for murder,manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide or negligent homicide. The exact name of the crime varies in eachstate. Some state laws includeunintentional deaths, or require proof that the driver was reckless or grosslynegligent, without intending to kill someone. The only difference between a vehicular homicide and other homicides isthe use of a motor vehicle as a weapon, as opposed to a gun or knife. If the elements for murder can be proven, adefendant charged with vehicular homicide can be tried for first-degree murder.
If the individual was driving under theinfluence and involved in an accident resulting in a person’s death, they willface serious and substantial mandatory jail time of up to 30 years, heavy finesand the loss of their driving privileges for up to 6 years. The states ofKentucky and North Carolina have charged impaired drivers with capitalmurder.
Judges considering sentences inalcohol-related vehicular homicide cases must also weigh factors such as thedriver’s prior convictions, the recklessness of the crime and whether thedefendant shows remorse for the crime. More lenient sentences are often considered if it falls in line withwhat the victims wanted.
However, if the individual is prosecuted ona DUI charge, this may bar later prosecution for vehicular homicide if thecharges arise out of the same incident. This falls under the Double Jeopardy Clause of the United StatesConstitution, which provides that no person can be put on trial and convictedfor the same crime twice. To furthercomplicate matters, a defendant can be convicted twice of vehicular homicide ifhe caused the death of two different individuals in the course of a singleaccident.
In some states, the killing of an unbornchild can be considered a “person” for the purposes of a state’s vehicularhomicide law. The laws distinguishingbetween the “viability” of an unborn child vary greatly. Viability is usually based on a specific amountof time in which the fetus has remained in the womb, or medical evidenceregarding the development stage of the fetus. Viability may also be defined as a child who can survive outside thewomb. If the fetus was not viable, thecharge might be lessened to first-degree manslaughter or in some cases, noliability at all.
Is Traffic School an Option?
Often your best alternative is to take asafety course for drivers. Nearly everystate allows perpetrators of a traffic violation to attend some sort of trafficschool in return for the violation being wiped off their records. Traffic school typically consists of a 6-8hour class, which describes the dangers of committing traffic violations. Some states allow the completion of trafficschool in lieu of paying the fine. Othersmay require payment of the fine in addition to the cost of traffic school.
Traffic violators may be eligible to attendtraffic school once a year. In somestates it’s an option once every 18 or 24 months. Those caught exceeding the speed limit bymore than 15 to 20 mph may not be eligible. The type of violation can affect whether traffic school is an option forthe offender.
Attending traffic school may protect yourlicense status and keep your auto insurance premiums from going up. These programs vary in their standards, thecost, and time to attend the program. Some states allow individuals to complete online traffic school, whileothers require that you sign up through a court clerk or appear before a judge.
Deciding to Fight the Ticket
Begin by preparing your defense immediatelyonce the police officer has given you the ticket and has left the scene bydoing the following:
- Record relevant details, including traffic,road and weather conditions
- Note the time of day and any extenuatingcircumstances
- Take pictures, especially if your defensedepends on something such as an obscured speed limit sign
Calculate the cost of fighting the ticketand weigh it against the chances of getting it dismissed or reduced to a lowercharge. The key fact to remember is thatif you can prove even one element of the infraction is missing from the facts;you may have a good defense. Once you’vemade the decision to fight your ticket, plan on how you will argue your case.
If there is a particularly egregious erroron the ticket, you may be able to have it dismissed by the judge, such as thewrong license plate or incorrect vehicle code statute. If your defense is based upon extenuatingcircumstances, make sure they are sufficient in nature to warrant a dismissal. This may include emergency of some sort, which got you cited for a speeding offense. If you were truly on your way to the hospital due to a medicalemergency, be prepared to bring documents proving your case.
1. Can you challenge the officer’s version of events?
In many cases, you may be able to challengethe police officer’s view of what happened. This is especially likely in situations where a cop must make asubjective judgment as to whether you violated the law. Deciding whether it is safe to exceed thespeed limit may be one example. In somestates, the posted speed limit is not an “absolute” limit. If you are accused of making a sudden anddangerous lane change, you may be able to reply that the car in front of youhad suddenly applied its brakes for no apparent reason. You were responding in the best possiblemanner to avoid an accident.
Go to the officer’s original position andcheck for any obstructions that may have caused them to have a poor view of thealleged offense. If you can cast doubton the officer’s ability to accurately perceive what happened, you may have a gooddefense. The types of evidence mostlikely to help your case are:
- Witness statements that may include passengersor bystanders who can testify to your version of the events
- An easy-to-read diagram showing where yourvehicle and the officer’s vehicle were in relation to key locations andobjects, such as an intersection, traffic light or other vehicle
- Photographs of stop signs and roadconditions can be useful in illustrating that a stop sign or speed limit signwas obscured
It is your word against the policeofficer’s in most cases. Unless you canprovide the court with compelling reasons or evidence to demonstrate that theofficer is lying or mistaken, the officer’s word will most likely be taken overyours.
2. Was it a 'mistake of fact'?
If you can demonstrate to the judge thatyou made an honest and reasonable error, you may be allowed some leeway. The judge may find that you made a “mistake of fact” meaning that the accused should not be guilty of an offense which hehad no intention of committing.
In order to succeed in this regard, theaccused must establish this defense by clear and convincing evidence.
Several examples may include:
- Failing to stop before coming to thepedestrian crosswalk lines due to the fact they could not clearly be seen (oldand faded in need of repainting)
- Failure to stop at a stop sign because thesign was hidden from view due to a broken branch caused by a recent storm, orremoved as a prank
The judge might dismiss your ticket foraccidentally running a stop sign if it was newly installed, and part of aregular route that you were familiar with. If this sign had been up for several weeks or if you were also speedingat the time, the judge may not accept this defense.
3. Can you legally justify your action?
You may successfully argue that youractions were “legally justified” considering the circumstances of your allegedviolation. If you were charged withdriving too slowly in the left hand lane, it is a legal defense in all statesthat you had to slow down to make a legal left turn. This fact legally justified your action.
Any emergency not of your own making mayconstitute a legal necessity defense. Ifyou swerve across a double yellow line to avoid a serious and immediate dangerto yourself or others may act as a legal defense. Some examples of these are:
- To avoid hitting another vehicle orpedestrian
- To avoid hitting an animal that has justappeared in the path of the road
- An obstacle in the road caused you toswerve to avoid dangerous injury
Other emergency situations might include:
- Making an emergency stop on a freeway dueto a breakdown or malfunction of your vehicle
- You became ill and temporarily sped up toexit the roadway
- Your passenger suddenly needed medicalattention and you exceeded the speed limit to get to the nearest hospital
The key defense is to convincingly arguethat you were forced to violate the law in order to avoid a serious and immediatedanger to yourself or others in the process.
4. Is there something in the wording of the law that does not match your circumstance?
Your first step should be to study theexact language of the law you were charged with violating. Every ticket contains the actual vehicle codeor statute that a motorist was cited for. Take some time to look this up. If you can prove even one element of the infraction is missing from thefacts, you can present this to the judge and request that your case bedismissed.
Does Paying the Ticket Admit Guilt?
When you pay a ticket directly, you areessentially pleading guilty to a traffic offense. You may not have read all of the fine printon the citation or realized that you were entering a guilty plea by paying yourticket. The prosecutor may offer you aplea bargain, which often includes the pleading guilty in exchange for areduced charge.
Consequences of the Guilty Plea
Pleading guilty to any traffic offense canresult in consequences many people don’t take into consideration. These may include points on your driver’slicense, an increase in auto insurance rates and possibly even a criminalconviction on your record. It is wise totalk with a lawyer before entering a guilty plea to any offense. If you are charged with a criminal offensethat carries the possibility of jail time, the court will appoint a lawyer torepresent you if you can prove that you cannot afford one.
Constitutional Rights Under the Law
By pleading guilty, you waive yourconstitutional rights. Your right to“due process” requires the State to prove its case against you in court beyonda reasonable doubt. In a case involvinga violation of the speed limit, the ticketing officer’s testimony must meetstrict requirements to prove that the officer is certified to used the speedmeasure device (radar, laser, pace, vascar). They must also prove that the device is officially approved, certifiedand tested, and that the officer used the device properly to measure the speedof your vehicle.
You also have the right to a speedy trial,which requires the State to take your case to trial within a certain amount oftime. The length of time may vary ineach state. However, if you request acontinuance of your case, the court will view this as waiving the speedy trialrule. Many individuals are not aware oftheir constitutional rights and do not properly assert them. By failing to assert your rights in trafficcourt, you may unknowingly forfeit them.
YourRights Also Include:
- To know the nature of the charge filedagainst you.
- To know the identity of the person filingthat charge.
- To have a copy of the charging instrumentin your possession.
- To speak with an attorney before enteringany please and a continuance to talk to that attorney.
- The right a trial, and in certain cases, atrial by jury.
- To have the public defender represent you,in certain cases, if you cannot afford an attorney.
Before entering a guilty plea, you shouldknow the answer to these questions:
- What is the maximum jail time and fine thatcan be imposed?
- What are the court costs that may be youmay be required to pay?
- How long will you have to pay the fine andcourt costs?
- Is the prosecutor making a sentencingrecommendation, and if so, what is it?
- What is the mandatory minimum sentence forthe offense?
- Will this offense be a “prior” the purposesof enhanced sentencing in future criminal or traffic cases?
- Is there a license suspension or are pointsassociated with being found guilty?
- Will you have to maintain special insuranceor equipment as a result of a guilty plea?
- Is probation or community service astipulation of the plea agreement?
No matter how minor you believe the trafficoffense to be, it is in your best interest to take the time and consult with alegal professional that specializes in this type of law. Once you enter a guilty plea, it is nearlyimpossible to rescind it.