Hey everybody!!!
Im a first timer here. Here goes my first question...
I got some traffic tickets almost 2 years ago. I never paid the fine and I never went to court to try and resolve the situation. I got sick with End Stage Renal Disease around the time that the fines were due and I lost my job. So, I had no way to pay for the fines. I didnt try to go to court because I think I was in the hospital around that time. Anyways, Its been almost 2 years now and I still havent taken care of this problem. Its mainly because Im disabled now and I don't really have the money to pay. I got a transplant earlier this year and I want to do the right thing. I think I have a bench warrant for my arrest since I havent tried to resovle this, but Im not sure. Anyways, what should I do?? Should I contact an attorney for advise? If so, How much is that gonna cost me? Give me some help guys!!! Thanks in advance!
2006-06-23 07:58:30 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
You should probably consult an attorney. If you can show that you were unable to attend court or pay your tickets due to illness, you should bee able to have everything waived, except maybe the original fine. But do something quickly, as a bench warrant is a bad thing to have hanging over your head.
There are many lawyers who do pro-bono work, in other words, they'll take your case for free. Contact a local legal-aid group, they should be able to hook you up.
2006-06-23 08:04:08 · answer #1 · answered by Flyboy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact the court and tell them.
It will be much better to get it over than wait to be arrested on a bench warrant. This will cost a lot more money.
They might find you indigent(unable to pay) and wave the fine or arrange a payment plan
If you send them $10 a month there is little that they can do to you.
Contact legal aid and see if they can help-doubt full for a traffic citation.
Most attorneys would want $300-$600 and up just to hear your case.
Non payment of fines usually creates more fines.
If you could not pay why would they fine you more?
I know that sounds stupid but that is how the wonder full system works.
They might also suspend your license if you don't see to this.
Then if you get caught driving, guess what-more fines!
2006-06-23 08:11:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to the clerk's office or look up your docket online and find out if a bench warrant has been issued. You can request the matter be put on calendar and go in (taking your hospital docs and all other proof with you) and resolve the matter in court. You may feel more comfortable hiring a lawyer to do this for you, but it's going to cost you. I don't know how much it is going to cost you as I don't know what kind of traffic tickets you have and how many or what jurisdiction you are in, so I wouldn't even be able to tell you what reasonable and customary fees are in your area.
2006-06-23 08:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by Samba Queen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you hire a lawyer, try to take care of this yourself. Call the clerk of the court that issued the tickets (you can find out what court that is by looking at the tickets) and explain the situation. Offer to make monthly installment payments, and send your first one in right away, even if all you can pay is $5. You're probably not the first person to get a ticket and be unable to pay it. If you have a note from your doctor explaining that you were in the hospital on your court date, it would help.
If you can't resolve it yourself, call the public defender's office and ask them to help you.
2006-06-23 08:10:31 · answer #4 · answered by zartsmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea there is a bench warrant and your license is most likely suspended (for non payment of fines) If you show up at court and asked to be put on the docket, explain it to the judge, he will recall the warrant and ask you when and how you can pay. Pay it make damn sure you can pay it and then you get your license back.
This by the way is where your family comes in from that other question you have out there
2006-06-23 08:15:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No attorney's needed. I would just call up the cities you got the tickets in and see if they'll set you up on a payment plan. They'll let you pay however much you can. But, if you already have a warrant, they might not let you do that. You may have to pay the whole amount to get the warrant off. I bet of you call them and tell them what happened, they will be understanding and maybe let you get on a payment plan.
2006-06-23 08:02:17 · answer #6 · answered by Rebecca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even hospital rooms have telephones. You should have stayed in touch with the court the whole time and told them of your good intentions. When you don't respond they have no choice but to think you don't intend to pay up, ever. If you are having medical and/or financial problems they will work with you on the payments.
2006-06-23 08:05:57 · answer #7 · answered by _me_ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you dont have any money, just go in to the police dept on a mon morning, turn yourself in, they will book you and probably let you out. If they don't they have to let you see a judge within a short period of time, ask for a public defender and explain what happened. They wont keep you locked up very long.
2006-06-23 13:48:34 · answer #8 · answered by King E 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably cheaper to pay the tickets than get an attorney. I would call the courts and see what they can do and provide them proof of your illness during that time...Good Luck!!!
2006-06-23 08:04:05 · answer #9 · answered by HunnyB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you have to do is go to the court and the judge will probably understand your situation and set up a payment plan for you. A lawyer is costly and unneeded unless you're going to jail for it!
2006-06-23 08:09:26 · answer #10 · answered by amylr620 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋