ABA Family Legal Guide

Criminal Justice

The Police and Your Rights

Criminal Charges

What is a citation?

A citation is the charging document issued for the least serious offenses. The normal penalty is a fine, which may range from under $20 to several hundred dollars. In some municipalities, a citation for an offense could result in a short jail sentence. Police typically give citations for such offenses as minor traffic violations (for example, speeding, parking in a no-parking zone, or jaywalking). If the police cite you for such an offense, they will issue you a ticket. You usually will have the option of not contesting the citation by mailing in the ticket with the specified payment. Or if you feel the police have given you a ticket wrongly, you have the right to contest the citation at a hearing.