A traffic ticket or citation is a document written by a police officer that alleges the driver (operator) of a motor vehicle committed a violation of state or local traffic laws while the motor vehicle was moving (also known as a moving violation).

A ticket or citation issued to the owner of a motor vehicle for violation of a state or local law that is alleged to have occurred while the vehicle was not moving (such as a parking violation)—and tickets or citations issued to pedestrians or operators of bikes, skateboards, or other non-motor vehicles for illegal use of streets, sidewalks, and other driveways—are known as nonmoving violations. A ticket or citation for illegal parking or another nonmoving violation usually requires the person to pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge.

A traffic ticket or citation usually requires the driver to pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge. In some states traffic violations are low-level misdemeanor criminal offenses—but in other states traffic tickets are classified as infractions or civil offenses. If a ticket or citation is classified as a criminal offense the driver's guilt or innocence will be determined by a jury or judge. But if a ticket or citation is classified as a civil infraction, violation, or offense the driver will be determined (adjudged) to be responsible or not responsible.

In Arizona, a traffic ticket or citation for a moving violation is issued by law enforcement to drivers who are alleged to have violated state or local traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle. Examples of moving violations include speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence. These tickets typically require the driver to either pay a fine by a specified date or appear in court to contest the charge. Nonmoving violations, such as parking tickets, are issued for infractions that occur while the vehicle is stationary. These also generally require payment of a fine or a court appearance to dispute the charge. In Arizona, most traffic violations are treated as civil infractions, which means that the determination of responsibility is made by a judge rather than a jury. However, more serious offenses, such as DUIs, can be classified as criminal and may involve more severe penalties, including the possibility of a jury trial to determine guilt or innocence.