[Superman]

I'm no expert, but I think it's different depending on whether your citation was issued by a State Trooper, or a local policeman. A couple of years ago, I got my first ticket in something like 12 years. Turns out, if you have not had a ticket in seven years, you can take a "deferment." This ticket was issued by a State Trooper (it was a bull**** ticket issued by a so-called Aggressive Driver Unit...long story....Iv'e ranted about it here), so I was told that stuff like driving school as a way of eliminating the ticket was not an option. But I was told that if the ticket had been issued by...say...a deputy sheriff, then there would be other options like traffic school.

The deferrment means if you get a ticket in the year following the beginning of the deferment, then both tickets go on your "record." But if you don't get another ticket in that time, then the deferred ticket goes away. Except that it's still another 7 years before you can take another deferrment.

You don't need to appear before a judge to get this. I did appear, thinking that the bull**** ticket could simply go away, but judges apparently do not have that latitude. And they're not pleased about lacking the authority to waive a ticket, given the circumstances.