Can I Just Represent Myself?

You can, but there is an old saying in the legal profession that he who represents himself has a fool for a client.

If you have considered the alternatives and still want to represent yourself, you need to learn how a traffic offense is prosecuted. It is the prosecutor´s job to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the violation.

The prosecutor will present evidence first. This usually involves calling as a witness the police officer who gave you the citation. You will have an opportunity to ask the officer questions. The prosecutor may call additional witnesses.

After the prosecutor has finished putting on evidence it is your turn. You may take the oath and testify for yourself. If you do so, the prosecutor will have an opportunity to ask you questions. You may also call other witnesses who can help your case, such as a passenger who can testify that you were not speeding.

After you have finished presenting your evidence, the prosecutor has the option of calling rebuttal witnesses. The prosecutor and then you will each have an opportunity to summarize arguments to the judge.