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Traffic Tickets

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1. Can I pay my ticket before the court date and keep from having to go to court?

Yes. The citation amount will need to be paid by the court date on your ticket. You may pay in person at the Gallatin City Recorder’s Office at 132 West Main St. Room 112 from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or online.

You may also mail your check or money orders to:

Gallatin City Court

132 W Main Street Room 112

Gallatin, TN 37066

2. What happens at a City Court Hearing?

You should be seated quietly in the courtroom at the time scheduled for court to begin. Suitable "general public" attire is required. Gentlemen are asked to remove hats. Everyone is asked to turn off or turn to vibrate their cell phones/pagers. There is no food or drink allowed in the courtroom.

Court begins when the Judge enters the court room. The Judge will give you an opportunity to explain any circumstances of your case, no matter what you plea. The judge may also ask questions to better understand your case.

3. How long will my court appearance take?

Court can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

4. How can I change my court date?

The Gallatin Municipal Court allows one courtesy extension for citations that are not “court” offenses. Extensions must be requested at the Gallatin Recorder's Office in City Hall.

5. Do I need an attorney to represent my case?

It is not necessary to hire an attorney to represent you; however, you may hire an attorney to represent your case.

6. If I disagree with the judge’s ruling on my case, what can I do?

If you are dissatisfied with the Judge's ruling on your case, you may Appeal to have a completely new trial at Circuit Court of Sumner County. There is a fee for the appeal, you may speak with the Court Clerk about how to pay. Once the case is turned over to Circuit Court, City Court is no longer involved. If the City Court Judge's decision is upheld by Circuit Court, you will be required to pay the original fines/fees to City Court just as you were instructed prior to your appeal.

7. What if I want to plead not guilty and have a trial?

If you plead not guilty, you will be given the option of having a non-jury trial by the judge in the Gallatin Municipal Court. Your court will be set with the new court date.

8. Can I take traffic school to reduce the number of points that might be assessed?

If the ticket you have received is a traffic ticket, you may be eligible to attend a class. You must appear in court on your designated court date if you choose this option. You do not need to call before you come to court. The Judge determines if you can attend the class. Once you have completed the class, your citation will be dismissed, which means it will not go on your driving record.

9. What if I don’t have the money to pay now?

If you cannot pay your ticket at this time, you need to appear in court and the clerk's office will give you an opportunity to make necessary arrangements to satisfy your citation.

10. What if I ignore my court date?

If you fail to pay your ticket or appear in court on your court date, your driver's license may be suspended by the Department of Safety. You may be required to pay a greater amount of fines in court, reinstatement fees to the Department of Safety, and any additional costs incurred with your insurance company.

11. How do I obtain or request a copy of my accident or police report?

Accident reports may be obtained through the Police Department. Call 615-452-1313.

12. How do red light cameras work?

At red light camera intersections, there are metal sensors embedded in the pavement underneath the crosswalk. These sensors are not activated until the light turns red. If a vehicle crosses the stop line after the light turns red, these sensors will detect the vehicle and trigger the cameras.

13. I am positive that the light was yellow when I crossed the stop line. Why did I receive a citation?

The cameras are set up with a slight delay, so that no pictures are taken until the light has been red for a short time. While it may have appeared to you that the light was yellow when you were photographed, the system does not permit such a result.

14. Is this technology really reliable and accurate?

The Gallatin Municipal Court has conducted extensive evidentiary hearings and determined that red-light camera technology is scientifically reliable and legally admissible in Gallatin Municipal Court cases.

15. Where are the Photo Red Light cameras located?

View a Listing of Red Light Cameras.

16. The roads were really slippery at the time, and I felt that it was safer to go through the intersection than to brake and stop in the middle of it. Can I get my case dismissed?

No, weather and/or road conditions are not a legal defense to a traffic violation. The law (and good driving practice) requires you to drive at a speed that is appropriate to the weather and other road conditions, even if that speed is below the legal limit. In adverse conditions, you should drive slowly enough to stop for a red light. Electing to go through the red light because of snowy, icy, wet, or sandy roads is still a violation.

17. I was driving a heavily loaded truck and could not stop for the red light. Isn't this a defense?

No. The law requires that the driver of a vehicle drive at a speed that permits the vehicle to be operated in compliance with all applicable traffic laws. This includes driving at a speed that will enable a driver to stop for a red light, taking into account the longer stop times and distances associated with heavy vehicles.

18. I was behind a large truck that blocked my view of the light/school zone light. Will the prosecutor dismiss my case?

The law requires that the driver of a vehicle drive in a manner that permits the vehicle to be operated in compliance with all applicable traffic laws, which includes driving behind a large truck, SUV, or bus at a sufficient distance to see traffic lights.

19. Doesn't photo red light/radar violate my constitutional rights?

Automated vehicle identification systems ("photo enforcement") are authorized by both the State of Tennessee and the City of Gallatin. Both laws have been upheld against constitutional challenges. Further, Gallatin's photo enforcement program has always been operated in compliance with state law.