They are the same as a lawsuit, i.e. they must be served to you, instead of sending some ridiculously high fine through the mail. If you have gotten one of these tickets and ignored it, let me know what happened. I am so curious. I understand the ticket is not legally valid until it is personally served by a court officiator who obtains a signature, since no officer delivered it at the time of the traffic violation. No one can prove you actually received it through the mail. Let me know your experience if you ignored one of these tickets. Thanks!
2006-10-02 04:32:40 · 6 answers · asked by ? 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Unfortunately no. If it is sent through the US Mail, the presumption of the court is that is was delivered. Registered mail is not required, and would only add to the costs. The ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle.
I have known someone who ignored one, and was served with papers shortly after trying unsuccessfully to renew their license.
It was much more expensive than if they had paid it promptly.
Good luck, but you should really pay the ticket. Even if it wasn't you driving the car, the owner of the car is responsible for it's actions unless it had been reported stolen before the ticket was issued.
2006-10-10 04:23:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your "jail house lawyer" buddies are wrong. It doesn't have to be served on you, and there is no need to obtain your signature when you have been observed breaking a law. In fact a regular patrol until can observe you, and if he managed to get your registration number, send you a summons by mail.
In a red light camera situation, they have your picture, and your license plate, so they have positive identification of a offense. Often times people prefer just to pay, knowing the evidence will find them guilty. You can claim you aren't guilty, and ask for a hearing, but if you just ignore it they will issue a bench warrant for your arrest as a result. They may or may not come to your door and arrest you, but if you are stopped it will show up and probably you will go to jail while your car goes to the impound lot. In most states, sending a notice via first class mail to the address given on your registration means you have been served with the ticket.
The web page below shows how the states do have a compelling interest, in the name of safety, to use a red light camera system.
Added: the "report the car stolen" advice should be ignored also. Unless a vehicle is reported stolen before, not after an event it would be considered filing a false report. AND they have your picture anyway, so how could you be driving your car if it's stolen?
2006-10-02 11:47:11 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not ignore it if I were you. If the camera has your license plate, you are responsible for that car. Unless you report the car stolen, I believe the burden of proof would be on you, since it is your car. Unless you want a warrant sworn out to get you for not paying the traffic ticket, I would pay it as soon as the mail arrives.
2006-10-02 11:42:30 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you ignore a citation a warrant will be issued for your arrest. So next time you get pulled over for a minor violation that might get you a warning you may endup spending the night in the pokey.
2006-10-05 16:54:06 · answer #4 · answered by Officer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I haven't, but I have never gotten one. I heard of a guy who did, & sent them back a picture of the money for the fine.
They then sent him back a picture of handcuffs.
He paid the fine soon after that!
2006-10-02 11:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I got one , an i told them it was not me Driving my car , an they could not prove that it was me driving , so they had to drop it !!
In Virginia now .. that law expired , so even though the cams are up , they do not work anymore !! 1 point for VA !!
2006-10-02 11:41:10 · answer #6 · answered by lilredhead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋