I got ticketed for not having a drivers license and no insurance. I know, big mistake. I called the court clerk and was told that I personally have to appear in court..(impossible, am leaving for England tomorrow), or have a Lawyer represent me. Can't I just pay the bail/fine?..Anybody know? Am not a citizen am from England. I got stopped in Calif. Can anybody advice? Thank you.
2006-11-30 11:22:50 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Are you coming back to California? If not, who cares? They wont extradite you to the US for a traffic ticket. If you are coming back, call the States Attorney and tell them you will be out of town until ????
2006-11-30 11:25:45 · answer #1 · answered by jimbobb1 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you fail to show a warrant for your arrest will be issued. As you are leaving the country, your ONLY legal option is to hire an attorney to represent you. (If a warrant is issued, you will never get another visa to enter the US and if you try to enter under the visa waiver program you will most likely be arrested at the port of entry.)
Being from England you know that driving without insurance cover is a serious offense. We're the same way on this side of the pond with that issue! You can't just pay a fine here any more than you can in England! You have to appear in court to answer the charges.
There is also a chance, though a small one, that if the authorities know you are not a US citizen they may put your status on International Hold. You won't be allowed to leave the counrty in that case until you answer the charges against you. That's normally reserved for more serious offenses, but it IS possible.
Call an attorney NOW and arrange to sort this mess out BEFORE you leave the country!
2006-11-30 11:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pretty stupid...are you sure you're not American?
Spend the money to retain a lawyer to represent you. I doubt it will break the bank and you two can handle the fine(s) and payments by phone once you are home. If you don't, don't ever expect to come back to the U.S. as there will be an arrest warrant waiting for you. You can't just pay the fine because this offense requires a court appearance. Just pray the judge is in a good mood and won't require you travel back to CA just to appear in traffic court.
2006-11-30 14:49:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hello :)
was there an amount on the ticket, there should be a place on the ticket where you can send the money or take it too, but yes you should be able to just pay a fine for the ticket, in Ohio you can pay the ticket and don't have to go to court, but the others are right if you aren't coming back don't worry about it, but if you are get a lawyer.
2006-11-30 11:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by justtammyj1964 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you never come back i dont think they can come after you in england ,but dont qoute me call a lawyer to be safe,they could issue a bench warrant that would catch up to you at the airport then they could charge you with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
2006-11-30 11:28:36 · answer #5 · answered by doug b 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
in california and you dident have a international driversliscence or insurance . they can put you in jail for that and sell the vecial. so get a attorny and dont leave untilk ya handel that they mite pick ya up at the airport for evasion if ya dont
2006-11-30 11:34:23 · answer #6 · answered by mike__996 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you ever visit California again, and happen to get stopped, there might be a warrant for your arrest. If you don't plan to visit again, no worries.
2006-11-30 11:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your in hot water! I would advise you to cancel your flight until after your court date.
2006-11-30 12:12:15 · answer #8 · answered by mister ss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋