How to Get a Ticket Dismissed for Wrong Information

Introduction

Getting a traffic ticket is stressful. But if the ticket contains wrong information — like a mismatched license number, the wrong vehicle year, or an incorrect statute code — you may have a powerful ground for dismissal. In this article you’ll learn exactly how to get a ticket dismissed for wrong information, step-by-step, what to check, and how to build your defense strategy with ClerkHero.

1. What “Wrong Information” Means on a Ticket

When we talk about wrong information, we mean important errors such as:

• The citation lists the wrong vehicle make, model, or year.
• The citation carries the wrong license plate or driver’s license number.
• The listed statute or violation code is incorrect or doesn’t match the offense.
• The date, time or location of the alleged violation is clearly wrong.

These types of errors can undermine the validity of the ticket — and give you legitimate grounds to request dismissal or negotiate better terms.

2. Why Wrong Information Can Lead to Dismissal

Errors matter because law enforcement and courts must meet certain standards of accuracy. If the ticket is so flawed that it fails to meet those standards, your attorney (or you) can argue the ticket is defective. This can lead to your case being dismissed or reduced.
Check out our deeper dive on how to fight a traffic ticket for general tactics.

3. Step-By-Step: How to Use Wrong Information in Your Defense

Step 1 – Obtain a Copy of the Citation

Request the official citation from the court or police department. Ensure you have the exact copy that will be used in your hearing.

Step 2 – Review Every Field for Accuracy

Go through the ticket line-by-line. Pay special attention to:

• Violation code (for example, CVC 22348)
• Date and time of incident
• Location (street and cross-street)
• Vehicle year, make, model and plate
• Driver’s license number and name

Step 3 – Highlight the Errors

Mark any inconsistencies clearly. When you bring these to court, you’re illustrating that the evidence is flawed. In cases like these, you can link to our article on CVC 22348 and how it’s applied if the code on your ticket is wrong.

Step 4 – File a Motion or Request a Hearing

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may either ask for a trial by written declaration or request a court date. At your hearing, cite the wrong information as evidence of the citation’s defect.

Step 5 – Build Your Argument

Use the flagged errors to argue:

• The officer may not have accurately identified the driver or vehicle.
• The alleged offense may not have occurred as stated (wrong date/time).
• The statute or code may not match the actual conduct.

Step 6 – Negotiate or Present Your Case

Even if the court doesn’t dismiss the ticket outright, you can often negotiate reduced charges. For other approaches, read our guide on speeding ticket removal and how we help negotiate for you.

4. Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Assuming any typo = dismissal automatically. Courts still allow corrections for minor errors. The key is whether the error prejudices your case.
• Missing your hearing date. Even with wrong information, failing to appear means you lose the opportunity.
• Neglecting the rest of the evidence. A wrong date or plate helps, but you still need to address the underlying offense. In complex cases consult one of our traffic ticket attorneys to fully strategize.

5. When to Call a Lawyer

If your ticket contains wrong information and carries high stakes (points, increased rates, license suspension) then it’s time to call in professional help. Our specialized team at ClerkHero handles thousands of California tickets, especially on offenses like CVC 21461 and CVC 22348. See our full list of violation codes we cover for more.

6. Why Choose ClerkHero

We combine:

• Flat-fee pricing, no confusion.
• Real-people legal review of your citation.
• A 3-step process: upload your ticket → review options → choose defense.
• Fast courts: many cases resolved in under 30 days.

7. Next Steps

• Grab your citation and review every line for wrong info.
• Use our form to upload your ticket images and we’ll evaluate your dismissal odds.
• Explore other defense tools in our blog: how to avoid a speeding ticket, cell phone ticket lawyer, and more.

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Key Takeaways

• Wrong information on your ticket is not a guaranteed win – but it’s a strong strategic lever.
• Review your citation in detail.
• Use the error to argue defectiveness, then build out your defense.
• Partner with a specialist if the stakes are high.

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