Traffic tickets are criminal charges?

[remsomnos]

What is the name of your state? Missouri

On the main page if this website under traffil laws it states that traffic tickets are usually held as criminal case, and jail time can be given. If this is so, than where is the defendant's state provided lawyer as garanteed by the Constitution? Of the jury, or the concept of innocent until proven guilty?

 

[Theodore Bundy]

I've wondered this myself. Technically traffic violations are considered citations and not arrests so you're not given a Miranda warning. However I've seen state laws saying that jail may be allowed for speeding, etc. I always thought you were entitled to a public defender if you're poor and there is a possibility of jail time. The supreme court also recently ruled that a cop can drag you in to jail at the time of the citation as well.