00:00:00:00 - 00:00: 13:12
DESCRIPTION: Scene fades from black. An image of the Trial Court’s Seal appears in the center of scene, then shifts upwards as large text appears beneath it. The text appears on cue with the narration. As the scene ends the trial court seal, and all of the text moves upwards off screen to bring in the next scene.
TEXT: Got a traffic ticket in Massachusetts? Not sure what to do?
SPEECH: Got a traffic ticket in Massachusetts. Not sure what to do next. This video will walk you through your options.
00:00:13:15 - 00:00:28:08
DESCRIPTION: All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen, titling this segment of the video. Then it shifts upward to top of screen to make room as a “Citation” icon appears on screen with narration. Then a “Calendar” icon and a “Courthouse” icon appear as the narration finishes.
TEXT: Read your ticket
SPEECH: Read your ticket carefully. You only have 20 days to act. You can either pay the fine or request a hearing to appeal it.
00:00:28:10 - 00:00:35:14
DESCRIPTION: All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen and holds. As the next narration line starts the text shifts downward off screen, while the “Citation” icon, “Courthouse” icon, and segment title moves downwards back on the screen as before.
TEXT: What if you don’t respond within 20 Days?
SPEECH: If you don't respond in time you waive your right to a hearing. Late fees will be added.
00:00:35:29 - 00:00:41:27
DESCRIPTION: An “Envelope” graphic moves across the scene from off the right. As it moves past the Courthouse and Citation icons they disappear, leaving only the Envelope Icon in the center of the scene on cue with the narration.
TEXT: Read Your Ticket
SPEECH: And the Registry of Motor Vehicles will send you a follow-up letter to the address they have on file.
00:00:42:17 - 00:01:02:07
DESCRIPTION: The “Envelope” graphic shifts to the left as a new “License” icon appears in the scene. Text appears centered, underneath both graphics.
TEXT: You can contact the RMV to change address.
SPEECH: So, make sure your mailing address is up to date with the RMV, especially if it's different from what's on your license. If you don't pay your fine and fees within 30 days of that letter, your license or right to drive a vehicle may be suspended
00:01:05:24 - 00:01:11:03
DESCRIPTION All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen, titling this segment of the video. Then it shifts upward to top of screen to make room as a “Citation” icon appears. Then a “Courthouse” icon appears.
TEXT: Paying the Ticket
SPEECH: Paying the fine means the ticket is closed, but you give up your right to a hearing.
00:01:11:09 - 00:01:14:03
DESCRIPTION: A URL is displayed underneath the icons when the narrator says, “mass.gov”.
TEXT: mass.gov/how-to/pay-your-traffic-ticket
SPEECH: You can pay online at mass.gov.
00:01:18:27 - 00:01:27:19
DESCRIPTION: All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen, titling this segment of the video. Then it shifts upward to top of screen to make room as a “Courthouse” icon appears. Then a “Laptop” icon and “Envelope” icon appear side to side underneath the “Courthouse” icon. The “Laptop” icon represents “Appeal Online” and the “Envelope” icon represents “Appeal by Mail”.
TEXT: Request a Hearing
SPEECH: You can request a hearing online or by mail, and there is a $25 court filing fee to appeal.
00:01:29:02 - 00:01:36:20
DESCRIPTION: Just before the narration starts the camera zooms into the laptop icon, bringing it into the center of the screen and all other graphics & text are no longer visible. Large text appears centered above the “Laptop” graphic on cue.
TEXT: Appealing Online
SPEECH: If you want to appeal online, your ticket may not show up right away. It can take a few days to be entered into the system.
00:01:36:29 - 00:01:49:06
DESCRIPTION: “Laptop” graphic shifts to the left on cue when narration line starts to make room for a text list to appear to the right of it. Each word appears on cue with the narration.
TEXT: License Number. Citation number. Date of the offense. Valid email address. $25 payment.
SPEECH: To appeal online: You'll need license number, your citation number, the date of the offense, a valid email address, and your $25 payment.
00:01:51:14 - 00:02:01:05
DESCRIPTION: Camera pans to the right, all current text and graphics moves off during this camera movement. The “Envelope” graphic with new text above it moves onto center screen as camera stops.
TEXT: Appealing by mail
SPEECH: If you're mailing the request, send it in right away to make sure it will arrive in time and follow the instructions on your citation.
00: 02:01:19 - 00:02:28:15
DESCRIPTION: A “Check” icon appears in front of envelope on cue with narration. Text appears on the “Check” graphic in the appropriate areas and aligns with the narration. The “Check” graphic then moves into the “Envelope” graphic.
TEXT: $25.00. MassDOT. #### ####.
SPEECH: To appeal by mail: Sign and date the back of the ticket in box two. Include a $25 check or money order payable to MassDOT. Write your citation number and license number on the payment. Use the envelope included with the ticket and make sure you apply the right postage. Mail it to the address printed on the citation and keep a copy for your records.
00:02:31:24 - 00:02:40:22
DESCRIPTION: All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen, titling this segment of the video. Then it shifts upward to top of screen to make room as a “Courthouse” graphic appears. Then an “Envelope bearing the Trial Court Seal” icon appears on cue. It moves to the right of the courthouse graphic.
TEXT: What to expect at the hearing
SPEECH: Once your hearing request is approved and your $25 fee is paid, the court will mail you a notice with the date and time of your appearance.
00:02:41:03 - 00:02:55:13
DESCRIPTION: Text appears above and below the two graphics on cue with the narration. The “Envelope” graphic is replaced by a graphic of the “RMV”. The text and “RMV” graphic disappear as a “Video call” graphic appears and replaces the “RMV” graphic.
TEXT: Hearings are held by the District Court & Boston Municipal Court
SPEECH: Hearings are held by the District Court and the Boston Municipal Court, not the RMV. Many are held on zoom, but some still happen in person. Check your notice carefully.
00:02:56:03 - 00:03:22:21
DESCRIPTION: As the narration starts the “Video call” graphic disappears and is replaced by a “Clerk magistrate’s office” icon. Then the “Clerk magistrate’s office” icon disappears and is replaced by a “Police officer” graphic on cue with narration. “Police officer” graphic disappears and is replaced by a “Badge” icon on cue with narration. “Badge” icon shifts to the right as a smaller “Report” icon appears on cue with narration.
SPEECH: If it's in person, go to the courthouse and check in at the clerk magistrate's office, unless signs tell you otherwise. A clerk magistrate or assistant clerk magistrate will conduct the hearing. The police officer who gave you the ticket is not required to be there. Instead, a police department representative may attend on the officer's behalf and present a report.
00:03:24:09 - 00:03:38:18
DESCRIPTION: As the narration starts the “Badge” and “Report” graphics disappear and a “Citation” icon replaces them. The first text appears to the right of citation graphic on cue with narration. A text list appears below “Civil Violations” on cue as the words are spoken.
TEXT: Civil Violations. Explain your side. Show Documents. Bring Witnesses. Ask questions.
SPEECH: If your ticket is only for civil violations, the ticket itself can be used as evidence. You can explain your side, show documents, bring witnesses and ask questions if allowed.
00:03:39:19 - 00:03:59:26
DESCRIPTION: As the narration line starts, the “Citation” icon and the text disappears into the “Courthouse” icon. Then a “Gavel” icon appears to right of “Courthouse” icon. Then the first text appears on cue above the “Gavel” icon. The “Gavel” icon disappears and is replaced by an “Open envelope” graphic and a “Check” icon. The “Check” icon then moves into the “Open envelope” graphic and the envelope closes and flips over to show the front. Then the second text appear beneath the “Envelope” graphic on cue with narration.
TEXT: Not responsible. Within 90 Days
SPEECH: After reviewing the testimony and information, the clerk magistrate will make their decision. If you're found not responsible for all violations and you pay the $25 court filing fee, you'll receive a refund by check from the RMV within 90 days.
00:04:00:22 - 00:04:18:03
DESCRIPTION: As the narration starts the Text & “Envelope” graphic disappear and is replaced by a “Dollar” icon. Then the first text appears on cue with narration. Then the text & “Dollar” graphic is replaced with a “Calendar” graphic. Then the next text line which appears above & below the “Calendar” graphic on cue with narration.
TEXT: Civil Assessment. Pay to RMV within 20 days or date on finding sheet.
SPEECH: If you're found responsible, the magistrate will issue a fine called a civil assessment. You must pay it to the RMV within 20 days or the date on your written finding sheet if a different deadline is given. You do not pay this to the court.
00:04:19:15 - 00:04:33:18
DESCRIPTION: All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen, titling this segment of the video. Then it shifts upward to top of screen to make room as a “Courthouse” graphic appears. Then a “Document inside an envelope” icon appears to the right of the “Courthouse” graphic.
TEXT: Missing the hearing
SPEECH: If you know in advance that you can't attend your hearing, contact the court right away. You may need to explain why and provide documents through a written motion to support your request to reschedule.
00:04:34:04 - 00:04:55:13
DESCRIPTION: “Envelope with document” graphic is replaced by a “Calendar” graphic and then the new text appears center screen, underneath all the graphics. “Calendar” graphic disappears and is replaced with “Citation” icon.
TEXT: New dates are not guaranteed.
SPEECH: New dates are not guaranteed. Hearing dates are rarely changed more than once. If you miss your hearing without a valid reason beyond your control, you'll likely have to pay the ticket and any additional fees. You also will no longer be able to appeal the citation.
00:04:55:15 - 00:05:33:15
DESCRIPTION: All the text and graphics on screen move upwards off screen as large text moves from the bottom quickly into the center of the screen, titling this segment of the video. A text URL appears on cue beneath the segment title and holds until next line starts. Then the text URL moves downward off screen as the title text shifts upward to top of screen to make room as a “Citation” icon appears. Then the “Citation” icon is replaced with a “Courthouse” graphics. Then the “Courthouse” graphic shifts to the left as an “Attorney” icon appears on cue.
TEXT: Appealing the Decision. Mass.gov/info-details/who-can-appeal-a-traffic-ticket-decision.
SPEECH: You may be able to appeal the Clark magistrate's finding. We'll explain the basics here, but for full details, visit Mass.Gov. If you were only ticketed for civil violations, you can appeal the magistrate's decision. This means starting fresh in front of a judge, but you must do so immediately at the end of your hearing. Tell the court you want to appeal and be ready to pay a $50 appeal fee. You don't need an attorney to appeal, but you're allowed to bring one if you'd like help.
00:05:34:15 - 00:05:41:03
DESCRIPTION: As narration starts the “Attorney” icon is replaced by a “Dollar” icon. The “Courthouse” & “Dollar” graphics shift to left and right to make room as a new “Application” icon appears in the center, between the other two graphics.
SPEECH: If you can't pay the fee, you can fill out an application in the clerk magistrate's office to waive the fee.
00:05:41:21 - 00: 06:12:06
DESCRIPTION: As narration starts the “Application” and “Dollar” graphics disappear and are replaced by an “Examination” icon. Then the “Examination” icon is replaced by “Gavel” icon. Then the “Gavel” icon is replaced with a “Calendar” graphic and the text appears above and below both graphics on cue with narration. The text lines disappear as the narration closes.
TEXT: Must file within 10 days of the judge’s decision
SPEECH: The judge will only review legal issues like whether the law was applied correctly, not facts like whether or not you were speeding. If the judge also finds you responsible, you can file a second appeal. To do that, you must file within ten days of the judge's decision. There's a $180 fee, and the Appellate Division will only look at legal errors, not the evidence.
00: 06:12:21- 00:06:22:06
DESCRIPTION: Shortly after the narration starts, the “Courthouse” icon moves to the center of screen as the “Calendar” icon disappears. New text line appears above “Courthouse” icon on cue with narration.
TEXT: Appeals Court
SPEECH: You can appeal their decision one more time to the appeals court within 30 days, but additional fees and rules will apply.
00:06:22:17 - 00:06:26:29
DESCRIPTION: Text URL moves upwards beneath the “Courthouse” icon and holds. Camera then moves forward, zooming in past the graphics to transition to the next scene.
TEXT: Mass.gov/info-details/who-can-appeal-a-traffic-ticket-decision
SPEECH: Visit Mass.gov for all appeal deadlines and details.
00:06:28:14 - 00:06:39:13
DESCRIPTION: As the camera zoom finishes its movement an image of the Trial Court’s Seal appears in the center of scene, then shifts upwards as large text appears beneath it. The text appears on cue with the narration and holds. Scene fades to black at end.
TEXT: The Sooner you act the more options you’ll have
SPEECH: Remember, the sooner you act. The more options you'll have. If you have any questions, contact the court listed on your ticket or visit Mass.gov for help.