Traffic courts (also known as municipal courts) are generally courts that are dedicated to prosecuting and resolving tickets or citations for traffic, parking, driver’s license, liability insurance, defective equipment (headlights, brake lights, turning lights, etc.), and license plate violations. These are usually lower level misdemeanor offenses (as opposed to felony offenses).
In Indiana, traffic courts, which may also be referred to as municipal courts in some jurisdictions, handle a variety of cases related to traffic violations. These courts deal with infractions such as speeding, running a red light, parking violations, driving without a valid license, failure to carry liability insurance, and equipment violations like malfunctioning lights. The offenses typically addressed in traffic court are misdemeanors or infractions, which are less serious than felonies. Penalties for these violations can include fines, points on a driver's license, and sometimes driver's education courses or community service. More serious offenses, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving, may also be initially processed in traffic court but can carry more severe penalties and may be elevated to higher courts if they are classified as felonies or if there are aggravating circumstances.