Pennsylvanian residents will often opt to simply pay off a traffic ticket once it is received. But did you know that this isn’t your only option? In fact, in some cases, it might actually be more beneficial for you to fight the ticket.

FindLaw examines different potential reasons to fight your traffic ticket. One of the main reasons is long-term costs. While you may just be thinking about the initial cost of the ticket at first, some traffic tickets can carry long-lasting repercussions. This is especially true of speeding tickets. By having a speeding ticket on your record, it gives your insurance company a reason to raise your rates. For some, this hike in cost can equate to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year.

Another reason is because paying the ticket is an admission of guilt. If you were not guilty of the offense you were accused of and you could face repercussions because of it, there is no reason for you to take on that blame. Paying a ticket, and thus admitting guilt, takes away your ability to get your day in court.

Of course, in some cases, it costs less to simply pay the ticket. This is true for smaller offenses like parking tickets, which also don’t usually have an impact on your insurance. In order to be entirely sure about whether or not it’s worth it to fight your ticket, you might want to contact an experienced attorney and ask them to examine it for you.