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 Nebraska, traffic tickets or citations are issued to drivers who are alleged to have violated state or local traffic laws. Moving violations occur when the vehicle is in motion, such as speeding or running a red light, while nonmoving violations typically involve parking infractions or issues occurring when the vehicle is stationary. Upon receiving a traffic ticket in Nebraska, the driver is generally required to either pay the specified fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge. Traffic violations in Nebraska can be classified as infractions, which are civil offenses, or as misdemeanors, which are criminal offenses, depending on the severity of the violation. For civil infractions, the determination of responsibility is made by a judge, whereas for criminal offenses, guilt or innocence may be decided by a judge or jury. It is important for individuals to understand the classification of their specific violation to determine the appropriate legal response and potential consequences.