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 Rhode Island (RI), traffic tickets or citations for moving violations are issued by police officers when a driver is suspected of violating state or local traffic laws while the vehicle is in motion. Examples include speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence. Nonmoving violations, on the other hand, pertain to offenses such as illegal parking or violations involving non-motor vehicles like bicycles. These require the owner or individual responsible to pay a fine by a specified date or to appear in court. In Rhode Island, traffic violations can be classified as either infractions or misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the offense. Infractions typically result in fines and do not require a court appearance unless contested, while misdemeanors may require a court appearance and could result in more severe penalties, including potential jury trials. It is important for individuals who receive a traffic ticket in Rhode Island to understand the classification of their violation and the associated legal processes.