What is the typical process following a traffic violation in Missouri?

The typical process following a traffic violation in Missouri involves the issuance of a ticket or citation. When a law enforcement officer observes a traffic violation, they will usually pull over the offending driver and issue a citation. This citation serves as a formal notice to the driver that they have violated a traffic law, detailing the nature of the violation, and typically includes instructions on how to respond to the ticket.

Issuing a citation is a common practice that allows the driver to acknowledge the violation and either pay the associated fine or contest the citation in court. This process is designed to ensure that drivers can address their traffic violations without being subjected to immediate arrest or more severe penalties unless the violation is particularly egregious.

The other options may represent scenarios that could happen in specific cases but do not reflect the standard procedure for all traffic violations. For example, while immediate arrests can occur for serious offenses like DUI, it is not the norm for typical traffic violations. Similarly, providing only a warning might happen in minor infractions but does not constitute the usual process. Finally, referring a driver to a judge on the spot is not standard; most traffic violations are managed through citations and subsequent legal processes rather than immediate judicial intervention.