For Pennsylvania drivers, getting any type of ticket for a traffic violation can be frustrating. These types of violations can include drunk driving, speeding, and even evading a police officer. But can officers offer drivers "downgraded" tickets during traffic stops?

Some drivers may hear stories from their friends that they were offered a lesser ticket by a police officer. One driver commented that he had seen a local police officer bargain with a driver about a lesser ticket for a traffic violation. Is this a common occurrence? Can drivers walk away with a less serious citation at the discretion of the police officer?

Often, traffic tickets can lead to serious consequences for drivers. This can mean different fines, a license suspension, and even points added to a driver's license record. Multiple traffic violations can result in more severe penalties.

So how does "officer discretion" work? A police officer can sometimes give a driver a ticket for a lesser sentence, if it seems appropriate. An example of this may be a driver who is pulled over for running a stop sign being offered a seat-belt violation ticket instead. Factors that can lead to a ticket downgrade can include a clean driving record or an apologetic driver.

This means that a driver could end up paying less of a fine or even walk away with a simple warning. But some who are skeptical about "officer discretion" worry that this type of practice does not accurately keep track of the types of citations that should be given. Should this practice continue?

Source: North Jersey: "A ticket downgrade at officer's discretion," John Cichowski, Sept. 21, 2011