A traffic ticket or citation is a document written by a police officer that alleges the driver (operator) of a motor vehicle committed a violation of state or local traffic laws while the motor vehicle was moving (also known as a moving violation).

A ticket or citation issued to the owner of a motor vehicle for violation of a state or local law that is alleged to have occurred while the vehicle was not moving (such as a parking violation)—and tickets or citations issued to pedestrians or operators of bikes, skateboards, or other non-motor vehicles for illegal use of streets, sidewalks, and other driveways—are known as nonmoving violations. A ticket or citation for illegal parking or another nonmoving violation usually requires the person to pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge.

A traffic ticket or citation usually requires the driver to pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge. In some states traffic violations are low-level misdemeanor criminal offenses—but in other states traffic tickets are classified as infractions or civil offenses. If a ticket or citation is classified as a criminal offense the driver's guilt or innocence will be determined by a jury or judge. But if a ticket or citation is classified as a civil infraction, violation, or offense the driver will be determined (adjudged) to be responsible or not responsible.

In Illinois, traffic tickets or citations are issued to drivers who are alleged to have violated state or local traffic laws. These violations can be classified as either moving violations, such as speeding or running a red light while the vehicle is in motion, or nonmoving violations, such as parking infractions. For nonmoving violations, the vehicle owner is typically responsible for paying a fine or contesting the charge in court. When it comes to moving violations, the driver has the option to pay the fine by a specified date or appear in court to contest the charge. In Illinois, most traffic violations are considered petty offenses or misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the infraction. More serious offenses can result in criminal charges, where the driver's guilt will be determined by a judge or jury. Lesser violations, often deemed civil infractions, are adjudicated in traffic court where a judge determines responsibility. It's important for individuals to respond to traffic citations appropriately to avoid additional penalties, and they may consult with an attorney for legal guidance, especially in cases involving potential criminal charges.