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 Kansas (KS), traffic tickets or citations are issued for violations of state or local traffic laws. Moving violations occur when a driver is alleged to have broken a traffic law while the vehicle is in motion, such as speeding or running a red light. Nonmoving violations involve incidents where the vehicle is stationary, like parking violations, or violations by pedestrians or operators of non-motor vehicles. In Kansas, traffic violations can be classified as infractions or misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the offense. Infractions typically result in fines and do not require a court appearance unless the individual wishes to contest the charge. Misdemeanors, which are more serious, may require a court appearance, and the driver's guilt or innocence can be determined by a judge or jury. For both types of violations, the individual has the option to pay the fine by a specified date or appear in court to contest the charge. It's important to note that failing to respond to a traffic ticket can result in additional penalties, such as a license suspension.