C&F Speeding Tickets Forum

[Teacher]

Hey y'all,

I've tried to search on TLS to see if anyone has addressed this exact topic, but I wasn't able to find it. Hopefully it's an easy answer for someone.

If I have two speeding tickets to report, does that mean I need to answer "yes" to the C&F question that asks about criminal record, and then attach an addendum about it just being speeding tickets? Or can I put "no" to that question and still attached an addendum about the tickets? I don't want to appear shady by putting no, but I also don't want to needlessly answer yes.

Thank you!

[TexasApplicant]

I'm not sure if I understand the question. You want to disclose your tickets, but the question doesn't ask about tickets? If that's the case, don't disclose. Different schools have different levels of disclosure; not everyone asks for tickets.

[cavalier1138]

Yeah, you need to be more specific about the question. If the request is for criminal convictions, speeding tickets don't count. But some schools specifically include traffic violations in their C&F questions.

[Teacher]

So for the applications that say “excluding minor traffic violations,” you wouldn’t disclose speeding tickets at all? Those are the applications I’m concerned about; I’ve read that it’s best to disclose even if they say you don’t have to.

[FeelingTerritorial]

I don't think anyone advocates disclosing something that is clearly excluded from the question. Generally, the issue is whether there is some ambiguity in the question; if there is ambiguity, then disclose. Here, if these are just normal speeding tickets, there doesn't seem to be any ambiguity. If these were more than run of the mill speeding tickets--say, you were charged with criminal speeding--then obviously disclose. But if they are just normal speeding tickets, then it seems to me that they are clearly minor traffic violations and there is no need to disclose since they are excluded from the question.

[rpupkin]

So for the applications that say “excluding minor traffic violations,” you wouldn’t disclose speeding tickets at all.

I would not.

As FeelingTerritorial suggests, you should certainly disclose criminal acts involving a vehicle (e.g., felony speeding, reckless driving). But if you got cited for doing 77 mph on the freeway or running a red light or something, that seems outside the call of your particular question.

[Yulifus]

If the "Criminal record" portion on C & F specifically says "including traffic violations", then answer "yes" and attach an addendum. If traffic violations are not mentioned, then your answer is "no".

Traffic tickets are not criminal violations. Law schools are probably fishing for DUIs.

[RCSOB657]

If the "Criminal record" portion on C & F specifically says "including traffic violations", then answer "yes" and attach an addendum. If traffic violations are not mentioned, then your answer is "no".

Traffic tickets are not criminal violations. Law schools are probably fishing for DUIs.

Depends on the state of violation bro. For instance, all moving violations in GA are at least misdemeanors of some kind.

[Yulifus]

If the "Criminal record" portion on C & F specifically says "including traffic violations", then answer "yes" and attach an addendum. If traffic violations are not mentioned, then your answer is "no".

Traffic tickets are not criminal violations. Law schools are probably fishing for DUIs.

Depends on the state of violation bro. For instance, all moving violations in GA are at least misdemeanors of some kind.

To be safe, it's better to call admissions and ask if you need to include traffic tickets on your c&f.

[alhookem2020]

So for the applications that say “excluding minor traffic violations,” you wouldn’t disclose speeding tickets at all.

I would not.

As FeelingTerritorial suggests, you should certainly disclose criminal acts involving a vehicle (e.g., felony speeding, reckless driving). But if you got cited for doing 77 mph on the freeway or running a red light or something, that seems outside the call of your particular question.

Minor traffic violations typically only mean parking tickets. I would disclose your speeding tickets.

[albanach]

To be safe, it's better to call admissions and ask if you need to include traffic tickets on your c&f.

To be safe, it's best to be candid and read the question broadly and answer accordingly. You are much more likely to encounter problems from under-disclosure than from over-disclosure.